12-30-2007 Indiana:
VALPARAISO | Gary Branham was released from prison Dec. 5 after completing a two-year sentence for molesting a young girl at his apartment and at the Salvation Army in South Haven.
The 48-year-old lived with a friend for a week and then found himself without a home, according to a report completed by his probation officer, Katty Holland.
Branham called multiple hotels and apartments, but was unable to find a place he could afford on his disability income of $542 a month, Holland said. He also is unable pay for other living expenses or fees associated with his probation and sex offender treatment.
As a result, Branham was placed back behind bars at the county jail and Holland is asking that he be sent back to prison to complete the three-year balance of the sentence he was supposed to spend on probation. The request is based on accusations Branham will be unable to comply with probation and the Project PRO sex offender treatment and monitoring program.
"It is this officer's opinion that these circumstances create an environment that is unsafe for both the defendant and the community," Holland wrote.
A hearing on Branham's fate is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 12 before Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper.
The dilemma involving Branham is not new for the county probation department, according to Adult Probation Chief Neil Hannon.
The county has had similar cases, including repeat child molester Edward Drlich, who was sent back to prison last fall after he was unable to find a place to live. Drlich had no income and suffers from physical and mental ailments.
Harper sentenced Drlich to the entire five years remaining on his sentence, saying he poses a serious threat to children if left unsupervised or untreated.
"We're going to have more of these," Hannon predicted.
Rental properties in Porter County are not cheap and the more affordable units are far enough out to require that offenders have reliable transportation, he said. This challenge is fueled further by various hardships created by fearful neighbors and a state law prohibiting sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, park or youth center.
Hannon said he has heard of homeowners applying for day-care status in order to keep a sex offender from moving into a neighborhood and vigilantes vandalizing an offender's vehicle.
The problem could be addressed in part by doing away with a section of the law that prohibits sex offenders from living together, Hannon said. This would allow these individuals to pool their resources.
Yet if they live together, their treatment may be placed at risk by allowing them to brag or share stories, he said.
"They need to have supervised housing," Hannon said.
The Indiana Department of Correction is starting a sex offender containment and accountability program at the Plainfield Correctional Facility on Wednesday, according to Porter County PACT.
If Branham were enrolled at Plainfield, he would take part in a re-entry program designed to work on transition issues and establish resources well in advance of his release, PACT said. He also would receive assistance once on parole with polygraph testing, treatment and possibly housing costs. ..more.. by BOB KASARDA
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