Sex offender registry does more harm than good

5-25-15 Michigan:

Michigan's law — and some others across the nation — have come under fire as overly broad, vague and potentially unconstitutional, a Free Press article last Sunday explained. Research also suggests registries do little to protect communities and often create ongoing misery for some who served their sentences and are unlikely to re-offend. Readers mostly agreed:

The Michigan sex offender registry clearly does little to protect the public. People listed on the registry, who are often a low risk for re-offending, are frequently subjected to prejudice and discrimination that makes it impossible for them to become productive members of the community. The registry continues a cycle of punishment for them and their families far beyond the prison sentences they have already served. Many people on the registry not only are unable to obtain housing and employment, but are also subjected to rejection, harassment and even violence.

Enlightened public officials would be well advised to reform the registry so that it lists only truly high-risk persons and only law enforcement can access it. Then, thousands of ex-offenders would be free from the oppression that now defines their lives and have a chance to become productive citizens.

Julian Gordon

Waterford

How come there is no registry for offenders who kill people, batter their partners, inflict serious bodily harm on others or commit crimes with firearms?

Violent offenders tend to be repeat offenders. Where are our virtuous legislators on this issue? They kill and injure many more people than sex offenders, but there is no violent offender registry.

Mark Dobias

Via Freep.com

The problems addressed in the article and responses to those problems by our leaders serve as a microcosm to the problems and issues affecting Michigan and the U.S. in general. No longer is there room for open, honest conversation on issues, whether it's a sex offender registry, global warming, health care, racism, violence, transportation, road repair, auto insurance and myriad other issues facing this nation.

Facts, studies and science are largely ignored in favor of touting the long-held beliefs of a party, leadership and personal convictions in spite of contradictory facts or science. This demagoguery on issues has not served the public. It's time for a change in leadership, problem-solving and politics.

Susan Peters

St. Clair Shores

It keeps the paranoid people safe. The rest of us really don't care. Teach your kids how to be safe and to never talk to strangers. Choose to live in safe areas with good schools. Don't be paranoid. It's a sad way to live.

Buddy Osborne

Via Freep.com

Does Michigan's sex offender registry keep us safer? Absolutely not. It and others of this ilk are simply "feel-good" laws that have been totally abused. They are rushed into existence in an emotional and very political maneuver and are meant to extract revenge on a particular class of criminal.

The broad net that is cast, however, together with today's "zero tolerance" mentality, have meant that they are implemented in unfair and blatantly idiotic ways. They are a maintenance nightmare and virtually impossible to be complied with, even if a person wishes to.

Related: Does Michigan's sex offender registry keep us safer?

Above all that, they are totally ineffective. It gives a very false sense of security. Most everyone knows this, but these are primarily revenge laws, so they remain.

Lyle Bialk

Via Freep.com

If these people are so dangerous they must be on a list to warn citizens of their existence, why aren't they locked up? If they're safe enough to be in society, why do we need a list at all?

Andrew Leonard

Via Freep.com

The law, at the very least, alerts us to the presence of sexual offenders in our neighborhoods. If I had to complain about the law, it's the standards as to why a person has to register for indecent exposure, such as peeing outdoors, that can get you on the registry.

Chris Thomas

Via Freep.com

The real issue here is a lack of forgiveness. People who have appointed themselves as arbiters of "justice," and then get zero-tolerance laws passed that are unjust. The cases shown in this article show why this is a bad law, a law that is cruel punishment and is not about justice, but about revenge. We have too many laws on the books today that are intent on destroying people and are in no way shape or form about seeking justice for actual victims of actual crimes.

Dennis Neylon

Via Freep.com

Nobody deserves to be punished for their entire life for something that happened when they were a stupid teenager.

Heidi Meyers

Via Freep.com

I keep hoping our legislators will do something to improve the unacceptable rules that now control the sex offender registry. There is so much injustice as it now stands. Lives have, and will continue to be, ruined unless deep changes are made. Hope isn't going to do it. Courageous action will.

Are our legislators afraid to tackle this important problem? Will making an attempt jeopardize their staying in office or getting re-elected? I surely hope not, but that is how it appears. Please, don't be afraid. Step up and be counted. Let principle win out, not staying in office.

Margaret Betts

Birmingham ..Source.. by Detroit Free Press readers