ME- Sex offenders should be judged individually

2-27-2008 Maine:

Laws made in the heat of emotions usually need revising, and so does the sex offender law requiring offenders to register every 90 days for the rest of their lives. The public wants to protect its children, but one must weigh the effectiveness of the law versus the harm done by it.

This was well discussed in Sunday's paper (Feb. 17) by retired Colby professor Bob McArthur.

To lump all offenders as dangerous and likely to repeat offenders is unfair. That in itself is punishment reminiscent of the scarlet letter.

To be effective, cases should be judged individually and subject to review.

If prisons are to not only punish, but to rehabilitate, those judged not likely to repeat should be given a second chance to live a normal life.

In California, the "Three Strikes, You're Out" law was made in haste and out of anger. The sentencing was flawed and wreaked much havoc. Judges should be able to use their own best judgment in sentencing, probation and registration requirements for sex offenders. Not all offenders should be doomed to unproductivity the rest of their lives. ..more.. Opinion: Carol Rasmussen