The annual Fay Honey Knopp Award was presented to a CDCR senior psychologist by the California Coalition on Sexual Offending.
Dr. Lea Chankin is the senior psychologist specialist for CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations Behavioral Health Reintegration program.
Fay Honey Knopp advocated for the humane treatment of incarcerated people and was an early promoter of treatment for sexual offenders. The award recognizes individuals, organizations and agencies demonstrating excellence in the field of treatment of individuals convicted of a sexual offense.
Meet Dr. Chankin
During her 25-year career, she has applied her expertise to provide sex offender risk assessment and treatment. She has supervised and mentored students, interns and those new to the field. She’s also advised on legislative and policy issues.
Chankin joined CDCR as a consulting psychologist for the California Sex Offender Management Board. She later became the board’s coordinator. She is also co-chair of the State Authorized Risk Assessment Tools for Sex Offenders committee.
Dr. Chankin began her career working with juveniles who committed sexual offenses. She then provided treatment in an inpatient program for sexual violent persons in Illinois. After, she moved to California to serve as director of a community-based treatment program for individuals who have committed a sexual offense. Chankin also started her own agency, providing treatment and evaluation to this population, before joining CDCR.
She was chair of the Los Angeles chapter of California Coalition on Sexual Offending for several years. In 2017, she was elected chair for the statewide organization.
“In all of these roles, I actively strive to provide the highest quality and ethical services. I have provided mentorship and ongoing training, and encourage cutting-edge and best practices,” said Dr. Chankin.
Story by Mary Xjimenez, Information Officer II
Office of Public and Employee Communications
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