4-3-2008 California:
SACRAMENTO, CA - Lisa Hayre has worked as a parole agent for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2001. Her job has changed dramatically since voters passed Jessica's Law in November 2006.
"In the past we actually went up to a door and knocked on a door to do our home visits," said Hayre. "Now we're meeting our clients on the streets or under a bridge."
According to a January report by the California Sex Offender Management Board, of the 67,710 sex offenders living in California, 2,879 were registered as transient in January -- an increase from about 2,000 listed as transient in 2006 before the passage of Jessica's Law. Of 3,884 sex offenders on parole in December, 718 had declared themselves transient, which, according to the report, is four times more than a year earlier.
Under the provisions of the Jessica's Law, convicted sex offenders may not live within 2,000 feet of any school or park. "That leaves very few places for offenders to live," said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Gordon Hinkle.
Lawrence Smith is one of a high risk sex offender currently being tracked by Hayre. He wears a GPS tracking device. "It's a bit of a struggle," said Smith about living on the streets. "The law has so many restrictions so many of us are just homeless."
Corrections officials are worried many of the homeless sex offenders will slip through the cracks. Smith admits he's thought about going underground. "Yes, I actually have thought about it," he said.
Hayre will try to prevent that. "Ideally we'd like them to have a place to live where they can get support from loved ones and be a valuable member of society," she said. "I think having any parolee be transient is a concern for the public." ..more.. by Deborah Hoffman, Reporter
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