mush thought #3: sex offenders (614 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: 2 on 4 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by mush (View user info) at 2005-06-24 10:57:06 EDT
This should generate plenty of hate-posts, but I really do think that sex-offenders have their rights violated on a daily basis. In Massachusetts (I actually checked the law: http://www.mass.gov/sorb/forms/178C-Q%20&%20RMV_v2.pdf), once you have been convicted of a sex offense, you are a 'sex offender,' as defined in 178C, for life. Pursuant to section 178D of the same document, "the [sex offender registry] board shall make the sex offender information ... available for inspection by the general public in the form of a comprehensive database published on the internet, known as the 'sex offender internet database'..." Basically it says if you are a sex offender your name gets put on a public website for life. The document, being true to the spirit of a legal document, is difficult to read. However, what I finally found is that the part I ellipsised out in the above quote says that this data does not become public if you have been labeled as a Level 1 or 2 (low risk of reoffense) sex offender.
But it gets even more interesting...
"Section 178P. Whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that a sex offender has failed to comply with the registration requirements of sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, such officer shall have the right to arrest such sex offender without a warrant and to keep such sex offender in custody."
So just think about this scenario: Bob is 18 and has sex with his 16 year old girlfriend. She gets pregnant and instead of owning up she bails out and tells daddy that Bob raped her. Bob gets convicted, but no jail time because he is a level 1 or 2 (low risk). He moves away to another town. Now even though he is a level 1 or 2 (and his status cannot be disclosed publicly), Bob still has to register as a sex offender. So now Bob is living in this town minding his own business (he is not really a rapist... but has now been labeled one), and he comes to find out that he's living next to a local cop. This cop is your typical "I'm a cop because I have self-esteem issues due to the fact that my dad beat me and I can't get it up." This cop hates gays, yells at the TV, and religiously agrees with everything Bush (or his constituents) say in press conferences. This cop sees Bob one day and just arrests him because he can. That's harassment. And it won't end there. You think the cop won't tell all his buddies down at the bar about Bob? Next thing you know, Bob is getting his car stoned and is getting threatening phone calls at all hours of the night. Now granted this seems far-fetched, but it could happen. That is what pisses me off about the implementation of this system. It just seems really fucked up.
Ok fine. So rapists are sick fucks right? Who wants their kids next to a rapist? I certainly don't. But I do think that their rights are violated. They have served their time and have been let out of prison. Where is the murderer registry? I'm sorry, but I'd rather live next to a rapist than a murderer. Why must these individuals who have already served their time be harassed for the rest of their lives?
Rights of sex offenders aside (real of just 'labeled'), this next part really blows my mind: If the Sex Offender Registry Board does not give someone a Level 1 or 2 (low risk of reoffense) rating, then WHY THE FUCK ARE THEY OUT OF PRISON? If these fuckers have a moderate or high risk of reoffense why are they being let out into the world? Lock these fuckers up.
Now, don't get the impression that I'm soft on sex offenders. It's not that I'm siding with sex offenders saying "it's not that big of a deal." I just think that they either 1) go to prison, get rehabilitated, and rejoin society as a convicted felon with a second chance or 2) don't get the fuck out of prison.
The only reason we have any of this registration shit is because some politicians wanted some votes and at the time it was a hot issue. Our penal system needs to get it's act together. It cannot fall victim to the whims of a majority who is simply and blindly touting the flavor of the week.
Thoughts?
User Reviews
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-06-24 17:18:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It's an emotive subject- you make a lot of good points.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-06-24 12:03:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-06-24 11:06:59 (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm deeply conflicted about this issue. On one hand, I believe that despite their crimes, sex offenders are still people who should have the same basic human rights as the rest of us. On the other hand, I imagine a heinous sex crime being perpetrated on someone I know and love, and it makes me sick to think that there are sexual predators walking around free to commit more crimes.
The bottom line is, most habitual sex offenders are victims of mental illnesses or disorders which compel them to behave in unacceptable ways. They need treatment, not just punishment and separation from society (although they should be subjected to those things too, in measure).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ditto, more or less.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-06-24 11:06:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm deeply conflicted about this issue. On one hand, I believe that despite their crimes, sex offenders are still people who should have the same basic human rights as the rest of us. On the other hand, I imagine a heinous sex crime being perpetrated on someone I know and love, and it makes me sick to think that there are sexual predators walking around free to commit more crimes.
The bottom line is, most habitual sex offenders are victims of mental illnesses or disorders which compel them to behave in unacceptable ways. They need treatment, not just punishment and separation from society (although they should be subjected to those things too, in measure).
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-06-24 11:04:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
if mush ruled the world...