State Council Resources

By statute, every Compact member state is required to establish a state council. This advisory body of state policy makers and experts exercise oversight and advocacy concerning operations and procedures of the Compact. Commissioners should take the lead in organizing and keeping their state councils functional.

• State Council Training (PowerPoint Presentation)
• State Council Tool Kit (ICAOS website)

Why are State Councils Required?

State Councils are essential because they help address several key challenges in the administration and oversight of interstate supervision:

• Limited Visibility and Policy Engagement:
  Interstate supervision is often confined to the knowledge of Deputy Compact Administrators, who typically operate within specific agencies and may not hold policy-making roles. As a result, broader awareness of the importance and public safety implications of interstate supervision is often lacking—until a serious incident brings it to light.

• Cross-Agency and Cross-Government Coordination:
  While each state has a designated Compact Administrator, compliance with the Interstate Compact involves multiple stakeholders. Parole and probation may fall under different agencies, branches of government (executive vs. judicial), or levels (state vs. local). Extradition responsibilities and funding may also lie outside the agency that manages Compact compliance. Judges and parole boards, regardless of the location of Compact administration, must adhere to its rules. Therefore, consistent awareness and coordination across various sectors of government are crucial.

• Public Policy and Accountability:
  Interstate supervision is a significant public policy issue that requires informed engagement from a broad group, including victims of crime. State Councils provide a structure to ensure that a diverse set of voices and perspectives are considered. While the specific role and composition of each State Council are determined by individual states, their existence supports greater transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making across all areas impacted by the Compact.