VT- Governor’s official statement on a special session and Senate hearings on safe communities legislation

While the Governor's heart is in the right place as to Vermont's children his new policy to prevent future sex crimes is short sighted. Ignoring the unfairness of his policy towards sex offenders, the Governor is missing a greater threat towards children. The Dep't of Justice tells us that, released non sex offenders commit SIX sex crimes to every ONE committed by released sex offenders. Accordingly the focus on sex offenders is short sighted and leaves Vermont's children exposed to a greater threat than one from sex offenders.
7-17-2008 Vermont:

As public servants, our most important responsibility is to protect the most vulnerable. Children represent our greatest hope for a better tomorrow and it is heart-wrenching for all of us when we are confronted with cases of abuse — especially sexual abuse of children.

There has been a great deal of talk, finger-pointing and grandstanding regarding the tragedy of Brooke Bennett’s death. This does nothing to serve Brooke’s memory. This does nothing to address the failures of that particular case and, more importantly, it does nothing to protect children all across our state who deserve to grow up in a safe and loving community.

We must remember that the ultimate responsibility of Brookes’ tragedy lies with the person or persons who ended her life. As a society, our responsibility is to ensure that we do everything possible to prevent future victims.

This isn’t about one community or one case; this is about every child and every community. I will not rest until I can look every parent in the eye with the confidence that we have done everything possible to give them the tools they need to protect their children.

Last week, I called for an immediate aggressive internal investigation surrounding a probation officer’s 2004 recommendation that a judge grant Michael Jacques an early discharge from probation. Both the position of the probation officer and decision of the judge in that case couldn’t have been more wrong. I have demanded an overhaul of the department’s policies to ensure that no judge can irresponsibly use the misguided recommendation of a probation officer to release a repeat sex offender from probation.

I have ordered that under no circumstances will a probation or parole officer or any other individual, department or agency support the early release of any sex offender before they have served their maximum sentence.

Additionally, Corrections will work closely with Sen. Dick Sears and his committee to explore other improvements to protect Vermonters. The department has worked closely with Sen. Sears in the past and Vermonters expect that he will conduct his review with the same objectivity and thoughtfulness that have characterized his prior efforts.

To effect positive change at every level, we must thoroughly examine judicial decision-making in these types of violent sexual cases to ensure that dangerous sexual predators are never again released before serving their maximum sentence. To that end, I expect the judiciary will conduct a review to ensure that missteps are not repeated by judges in future cases.

Now we must look to the future — to steps we can take today to strengthen Vermont’s sex offender laws in every way possible. We must not put off action on those changes we can make immediately. I stand ready to call a special session to pass civil confinement, an expanded sex offender registry and a Vermont-style Jessica’s Law to enhance mandatory minimums. These proposals have already been deliberated at length and do not require additional testimony.

I have scheduled a meeting with legislative leaders of both parties and will urge them to support a one day special session for the sole purpose of considering these proposals.

My administration will be an active participant in Sen. Sears’ hearings and will work with him to advance a comprehensive package of reforms when the Legislature returns in January. I hope the Legislature will join with me in the same spirit of bi-partisanship to take immediate action in a one day special session to pass civil confinement, an expanded sex offender registry and enhanced mandatory minimums.

Children trust adults. That bond is the basis for every healthy successful family and community. When that trust is broken and is used to harm a single child, the fabric of our community is torn. It is our responsibility to join together to take action that reassures parents, families, and communities that we are doing everything possible to protect Vermont’s children. ..News Source.. by Jim Douglas of Middlebury is governor of Vermont.