What are the Real Numbers?

I swear most people tend to dig statistics out of their asses. Ninety percent of the sex offenders released from prison never offend again. I’m also sure that those who do, didn’t have the family or community support to assure that he/she wouldn’t re offend. I’d like to find some way of explaining the facts to people without them getting angry or argumentative. The media has done a number on this Country's will to be forgiving with a great deal of bogus propaganda. Changing people’s biased opinions will be no easy task. Do you have any suggestions as to how to dispel the myths and lies that have been imposed on the public by political circles and the media?

Public Notification or Education

If ninety percent of ex felon sex offenders do not repeat their crimes, then why does the public have to be informed of their whereabouts? I think a better solution to the sexual abuse of children is through education. The simple fact is that most sex crimes against children are done by individuals who’ve never been caught and punished--people close to them. The effort needs to focus on prevention rather than the persecution of people who’ve paid a heavy price for their past mistake. If the money being spent on these new registry and residency restriction laws were used for education and treatment programs, the sexual crime rate against children would drop significantly. What are your thoughts on this issue?

It's Getting Harder Every Day

Having a positive outlook on life, and being able to trust our neighbors is not that easy anymore. It’s a daily struggle to find happiness, peace and contentment. Our lives are complicated with the rising cost of living, and our children, and their children will have to face enormous social, economic and environmental problems that we are responsible for. How can we remain positive given this horrific reality?

It’s time America! Time to get back to the fundamental principles of liberty and justice for all. We can no longer afford to waste public resources on political pork barrel programs that serve no legitimate purpose is resolving our domestic dilemmas. There's been far too much waste on foreign interests. It's time we get back to basics.

We urge all of you to take a stand and restore our pride in our Country's principles. Let us know how you feel.

Food for Thought

By now you have read a number of articles concerning the rate of recidivism for sexual offenders, which is very low.

Here are some other alarming facts: When the justice department did its report on criminal recidivism, some very important considerations were left out of the analysis. Things like--an offender’s support systems upon release: whether or not the offender had family support; whether or not the offender had a stable environment to live in upon his release; whether or not the offender was on probation and required to participate in SOTP’s; Whether or not the offender was financially able to establish himself in the community; whether or not the offender played an active role in his reform; and lastly, whether the offender was cooperative.

In order to find solutions for recidivism, it’s of the utmost importance to understand the causes of it. Men that are simply dumped out on the street after a long prison term are typically more likely to engage in some sort of criminal behavior in order to make ends meet. We’d like to hear about your reintegration, and the supports, or lack of supports in your community upon your release.

Classifying People as Dangerous

I've become aware of State's having the online registries where they "evaluate" an ex offender for dangerousness. What this is, is a hearing type process where one goes before a board of people--typically former prosecutors--to be judged as a low, medium, of high risk to re-offend.

Unfortunately, I discovered that most of the people sitting on these various boards do NOT have any credentials in psychology or psychiatry, and aren't qualified to make reliable determinations as to one's dangerousness.

In my State, many men that committed vicious/violent sexual attacks on women and children--causing serious physical harm--were classified as level 2 offenders, while other non-violent offenders were classified as level 3. This doesn't make sense to me at all.

I believe that these laws are in need of some serious reform, and our state and federal representatives need to put these judgments in the hands of professionals with a great deal of experience in the field, rather than appointing legal or political hacks to make these judgments.

Our representatives need to be responsible and held accountable when laws like these cause a great deal of harm to a class of American citizens, regardless of whether or not the members of that class are acceptable to others. They are still human beings, and are still Americans. Americans have rights!

I live in America. But it appears that corrupt politics and media incentives have turned this Country into purgatory for over 2 million American families.

Maximus.

Sex Offender Realities

Even though former sexual offenders have the lowest rate of recidivism among other criminal types, the public remains on the attack to eliminate our rights. I believe that the constant fallacies being fed to the public by media giants attempting to reshape social policy is a disgrace. Even our politicians are afraid to oppose these media giants. Besides, opposing opinions no longer receive equal time or coverage.

The United States Justice Department reports that only 3.3% of former sexual offenders repeat their crimes, and those crimes are usually targeting children 13 or younger. The study covered offenders over a 3 year period. The statistic jumps to 4.7 after 5 years. {I think there are specific circumstances behind that jump}.

The abduction, rape and murder of children are very rare events, yet that's what the media seems to be focusing on to continue to persecute former sexual offenders.

Americans need to reform these new laws to protect everyone's rights. Only responsible legislation and accountability will alleviate the apparent sexual abuse crisis in America. Sexual abuse has been around since the dawn of man. I don't think that eliminating the problem altogether is possible.

I'd like to hear your opinions on this subject, to get a better idea about where others stand on the issues.

TMaximus95