TX- On the predator list? It’s even harder to find a job

It is hard to find reporters who will report stories without adding their own form of subtle prejudices and bias. Here we have one using the term "Predator List" and "Low Risk Registrants" simultaneously, obviously low risk registrants are not predators. In fact, has the reporter even looked up the word predator, and, what facts on the registry allow one to make a judgment that those listed are predators. Clearly this is the reporter's prejudice or I guess sensationalism is also a possibility! Today, reporting the facts is something of the past when sex offenders are the topic.

6-2-2009 Texas:

New details on employers could hurt sex offenders’ hiring chances even more

In today’s economy, finding a job is tough for most people. But imagine what it would be like if you had the equivalent of a scarlet letter attached to your job applications.

A Rosenberg man who has been out of work for several months says that since the state recently added new information to its revamped online sex offender registry, it’s been more difficult for him to get a job.

Employers, who might have been willing to give the 25-year-old registered sex offender a chance, now refuse to hire him because they don’t want their business name and address listed on the registry, said Gordon, who asked that his last name not be used to protect his privacy.

The Texas Department of Public Safety added employment, school and occupational license information to offenders’ profiles about six months ago as part of a $1.2 million redesign of the online registry, which includes a new e-mail notification feature. DPS officials said states are required to post such information under federal law.

Making the information available to the public has struck a chord with registered sex offenders and their advocates who say it’s unnecessary and poses another hardship for offenders who want to be productive citizens. Crime victim advocates, however, argue the information is an another tool to protect the community.

“The more information, the more empowered the community is to enhance the safety of their families and children,” said Andy Kahan, the director of Houston Mayor Bill White’s Crime Victims Assistance office. “As long as the public uses the information prudently and not take any negative action, then the information will be helpful.”

Mary Sue Molnar, a founder of Texas Voices, a sex offender advocacy group, said more information means less safety if sex offenders can’t find work or lose their jobs. She said she gets e-mails daily from offenders and their loved ones asking for help.

“This is not keeping the public any safer,” said Molnar, whose son is a convicted sex offender. “It’s a feel-good law. It’s a tremendous problem. We want them to reintegrate into society and lead productive lives, and they can’t do that when they don’t have jobs.”

High risk, low risk

She said state and federal laws should distinguish between dangerous and non-dangerous sex offenders. She said many sex offenders pose no risk to the community. Some are low-risk offenders who were in consensual relationships and the offender didn’t know the victim was under age. In some cases, they are married to the victim and they have children. Having their employer and school information online can be devastating to their families, she said.

Gordon, who is listed as a moderate risk on the state’s registry, agrees with Molnar. He is serving eight years of probation after accepting a plea deal on aggravated sexual assault of a child charges in 2004. He said he had a consensual relationship with a teenager who said she was 19. He believes only dangerous sex offenders should have employer and school information posted on the registry.

Gordon, who lives with his parents, said he is up front with employers about his criminal history and has had other jobs since his conviction. He said he follows all the requirements of his probation, including sex offender treatment. All he needs now is a job.

“It’s been very hard,” he said. “That’s the only thing holding me back.”

The information posted on the registry is required under the Adam Walsh Act signed by President George W. Bush in 2006. The act established a national sex offender registry and states were given three years to implement the law. The state attorney general has the authority to issue guidelines in interpreting and implementing the law.

In addition to finding a sex offenders’ personal and criminal information, the public also can now sign up for an e-mail service. The service will notify them when changes are made to a specific offender’s record or when a change is made to the record of an offender who resides in a certain ZIP code.

DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said state officials thought it would be a good tool for people who want to track of sex offenders in their neighborhoods.

Kahan said he likes the instant notification because sex offenders tend to be transient and change residence frequently. ..Source.. by RENÉE C. LEE