Sex Offenders

[LoneKiller]

Hey All!

This thread is a little piercing, but I'm curious to know what your opinion is on the issue. When sex offenders are released from prison they are required to register and the neighborhood they live in is made known to the other neighbors of his or her offense.

Do you feel that this is or isn't fair? They paid their debt to society some will say. Although I certainly don't condone their actions, but it does makes it some tough to start a new life when everyone around you is aware of your offense.

If some murderer maxes out or is paroled, he or she isn't living in an area where the authorities by law, divulge his crimes to his or her neighbors in the same fashion as a sex offender is.

Do you think that this is fair?

 

[kamya]

It's just part of the punishment, not in addition to.

 

[meekthoughts]

That's a very interesting topic. It's not entirely fair, in my opinion. Some people really do change, some wrongly convicted, and some were only in a moment of hysteria when they did it (not that it justifies the act). The fact that other criminals are not subject to the same conditions makes it even less "fair" as well. Being forever labeled as a sex offender also makes one less likely to change because he/she wouldn't be given the chance to. People tend to act out the way people expect them to, just like why guys stick to guy activities and girls stick to girl activities most of the time. But anyway, it's unavoidable.

That being said, I would like to know if I'm in the same neighbourhood as a past sex offender, especially if I had children. The same goes with every other criminal though.

---

It's just part of the punishment, not in addition to.

Definitely a worse punishment too.

 

[Arcane]

not entirely...but pretty much..there's lots of wrongly accused people...i'd say it isnn't fair for them...but those who did do something horribe....fair? yeah

 

[LoneKiller]

Like I said, I don't condone their conduct, but the term "Paying your debt to society" should be mean just that. These people should not have to endure a lifetime of more punishment. There has to be a limit to how long they pay for their crimes. Otherwise, what's the point of leaving prison?

 

[Felix]

It's too stigmatizing in my opinion. As much as I dislike this individuals, this would violate the privacy of the person. And that's a constitutional right... in my country at least, so that alone is enough for me.

Also, it would make it harder for that person to reestablish itself into society.

I recommend watching the movie "The Woodsman", which deals with this issue.

 

[LoneKiller]

It's too stigmatizing in my opinion. As much as I dislike this individuals, this would violate the privacy of the person. And that's a constitutional right... in my country at least, so that alone is enough for me.

Also, it would make it harder for that person to reestablish itself into society.

I recommend watching the movie "The Woodsman", which deals with this issue.

That's a fantastic movie. I felt so sorry for that young girl in the park. She didn't need Kevin Bacon's lap to sit on. Her father already disgustingly did it to her himself. It was awesome of Bacon to change his mind and not have her taken advantage of her like the kind from her own father.

 

[Bones]

There would be no need for the sex offender registry or worry about recidivism if they would castrate the SOB - problem solved.

^^^That is probably the most negative post and unreasonableness from me you will ever see, but it is for good reason.

 

[SophiaGrace]

Ahem I would like to point out that perhaps sex offenders have a more grave impact on a prson emotionally & psychologically. Also I think its not possible to rehabilitate them, otherwise why have chemical castration?

Peoples lives are ruined by this. PTSD, which haunts them for the rest of their life. A violation of the sanctity of the mind and body.

Again I think this has more to do with the inability to rehabilitate those that are pedophiles. How do you do that? You can't. So you have to keep chains on them the rest of their lives so they don't go around screwing other peoples lives up.

 

[LoneKiller]

Ahem I would like to point out that perhaps sex offenders have a more grave impact on a prson emotionally & psychologically. Also I think its not possible to rehabilitate them, otherwise why have chemical castration?

Peoples lives are ruined by this. PTSD, which haunts them for the rest of their life. A violation of the sanctity of the mind and body.

Again I think this has more to do with the inability to rehabilitate those that are pedophiles. How do you do that? You can't. So you have to keep chains on them the rest of their lives so they don't go around screwing other peoples lives up.

I see what you are saying. Would you not want to know if a murderer just released from prison was living next door to you?

 

[SophiaGrace]

Murderers typically do not get released. They serve life sentences...

 

[LoneKiller]

Murderers typically do not get released. They serve life sentences...

Good point. lol

 

[annik]

I don't mean to sound trolly but wow you don't believe in light subject matter do you...

I wouldn't even begin to think I really could answer this.

However on a side point I'd say that life in many cases doesn't really mean life...not in the UK anyway. Unless public opinion means it has to be. Which feels unfair.

 

[SophiaGrace]

25 years is a life sentence.

 

[annik]

Well yes that was my point...

 

[SophiaGrace]

Then again they could receive multiple life sentences or the death penalty.

 

[annik]

or the death penalty.

Well not here, thank god. Though I see your point. What I was really saying though is if life should really mean life in some cases but in others it doesn't how is that fair? More to the families of the victims than anyone. Anyway its a bit off topic here...

 

[Bluey]

Sex offending is a difficult one cos its not something you can ever move on from.
To me that's not really giving the person that offended a second chance.
In this country where I live (England) we don't tell ppl where this ppl are living.
They do have to be on a sex offender register for the rest of there lives though.

I think if your really going to give someone a second chance then you should do exactly that and not make it public where they live.
Other wise they may just think well its always going to be there and ppl are always going to know so I might as well do what I did be for.

But then you do need to make sure ppl are save. So TBF I have no clue whats best done here.

Some offenders acutely welcome castration as it takes the urge away. Maybe that's an option. And I don't mean it nastily. I just think what ever works for us to be save and for the person that has paid their debt to society to be happy in their lives.

 

[Fvantom]

it depends, if were talking about doing something with someone whos underage, as long as it wasnt malicious, I wouldnt say they should be forced to have everyone around them know about it in addition to whatever sentence they serve, however a serial rapist should, someone whos been molesting children should as well, it all depends on the offense.

 

[Kataphractos]

Should they be monitored? Yes (criminals do have an above average chance of relapsing)

Does the current system need to be improved? Yes



Thing about being a registered sex offender is, your life is pretty much over. Even if you've truly repented, you're on a sex offender registry for life and have to contact authorities to verify your current address several times a year and 'check in' just as often. If you're seeking employment, employers will likely pass you over (or fire you) if they learn you're a sex offender.

And then there's the watchdog groups. Some are fine with leaving sex offenders well enough alone so long as they're following the rules for their continued freedom and not going near children, women, whatever it was that caused them to go on offender status. And there are a few that will heckle/harass the offender and basically make his life a hell until he moves, and the process starts all over. Not to mention, no one wants to be friends with a sex offender, so they may as well say good-bye to any social life if their past is known.


Not saying I side with them, but there are issues with the current system that need to be looked at so sex offenders can actually try integrate back into society (which is why they were released in the first place, right?).