Starting Monday, it will be easier to track sex offenders in Utah with more information about where they spend their time and what vehicles they drive.

The Utah Department of Corrections is requiring information that includes secondary addresses, detailed vehicle information (including license plates), professional licenses held by the offender, educational institution affiliations and volunteer information.

According to Jim Ingle, manager of the Sex Offender Registry for the State of Utah, these changes will be helpful to both the police and the public and are a positive action to keep up with changing times. "In my opinion, as times evolve and the needs of the community evolve, the registry should evolve as well," Ingle said.

Before these changes, the public has been able to view sex offenders' names and primary addresses, physical descriptions, sex offenses and a vague description of their current vehicles.

Ingle said these changes will be more effective in letting citizens know which offenders are residing, even part time, in their neighborhoods, or having contact with their children through education or professional practices.

Ingle said the registry wants to find a balance between giving the public what they need and want to know and keeping their compliance rates as high as possible. "The registry is committed to the public, we are not trying to punish the offenders but we do encourage compliance," Ingle said.

According to the Department of Corrections' news release, a bill passed by the legislature and sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, will also require additional information from offenders that will be available to law enforcement. That information includes Internet and employer information, copies of passports and immigration documents, fingerprints, social security numbers and DNA.

"For law enforcement purposes, any information we have that will assist in finding a perpetrator is good. So for a law enforcement agency to have more information, that can only help us," said Sgt. Matt Siufanua of the Provo Police Department. Because the majority of offenders are repeat offenders, Siufana said, "More information will help us to narrow down the list of suspects."

The registry can be found online at corrections.utah.gov.

Copyright Brigham Young University 5 May 2008