Sex offenders aren't dangerous behind bars

12-17-2009 Maine:

Rather than hassle them about where they live, provide a place that's safe – for us.

Portland city officials, disturbed by revelations this week that 17 registered sex offenders live in two apartment buildings across the street from Portland High School and just down from the Boys & Girls Club, are drafting an ordinance that will make them move.

All of a minimum of 750 feet.

We're as concerned as anyone else about the real possibility that people who commit serious sexual offenses, even though they have served their sentences, have a higher probablity of reoffending than other criminals.

In fact, 12 of the offenders at those two addresses had committed crimes ranked as "serious," and their victims were minors, Portland Police Chief James Craig said.

And we also strongly support the continuation of the state's sex offender registry, so that residents of any community can learn who may be living in their neighborhoods.

We also favor, though less strongly, the ability of communities to restrict where offenders can reside. The reason for that qualification is that, while towns and cities clearly have a responsibility to keep their citizens of all ages as safe as possible, such laws can have only a limited effect.

The question of what to do with sex offenders who have "paid their debt to society" is one that muddies the boundary between crime prevention and individual rights. Laws telling sex offenders that they can't reside across the street from a school but are permitted to live a five- or 10-minute walk away do not resolve those issues.

A better solution would be keeping the most dangerous offenders behind bars for enough years to make them less of a threat when they are released. Bringing back parole for such people could also be a useful tactic for keeping track of them on the street.

Much longer sentences, however, are the only way to truly reduce the risk these offenders pose. ..Editorial Source.. by Portland Press Herald




Another View: Sex-offender editorial ignored important work done by courts

12-21-2009 Maine:

Rehabilitation comes from monitoring and treatment, not 'get tough' jail sentences.

A recent editorial, "Sex offenders aren't dangerous behind bars," (Dec. 17) presents a disappointing and dangerous over-simplification of punishment for sex offenders.

The opinion piece states that sex offenders have a higher probability of re-offending than other criminals. Re-conviction data suggest that this is not necessarily the case.

Studies indicate that rates of recidivism vary among different types of sex offenders and are related to specific characteristics of the offender and the offense.

This makes sense. There is a variety of different types of sex offenders and offenses that range from crimes of opportunity to more predatory offenses. There are also individuals who have been convicted with scant evidence against them. When the Press Herald calls for longer jail sentences, it obviates the work the court does at sentencing to properly individualize each sentence.

At sentencing, the court engages in a process called the Hewey analysis. In doing so, the court gives significant consideration to the seriousness of the offense, the deterrent effect of the sentence, and any concerns for public safety. Jail-oriented sentencing, the "get tough" attitude, is a frequent response to serious criminal offenses.

While this attitude satisfies the public's thirst for retribution, the interest in public safety is never really satisfied with long incarceration periods. In fact, long jail sentences often "teach" new criminal behavior by exposing the defendant to individuals who are veteran criminal offenders.

The magic bullet to true rehabilitation is monitoring, treatment and education. This is true for any serious criminal offense, but is especially true for sex offenses. You can attempt to put these offenders on an island, but it will not cure the problem. The only cure for recidivism is appropriate intervention that suits the offender and the factual background of the offense. ..Editorial Source.. by Portland Press Herald