Change to Texas Sex Offender Registry a mistake

jtmbls, says:

Oh, so that’s the reason the recidivism rate is so high! I had no idea it was the registry that was making them act out in such an abhorrent way! Thanks for clearing that up for us Mr. Henson. If we were able to sentence child molesters to death, this would be a non-issue. As far as I’m concerned, it is anyway.

SexOffenderIssues, says:

Recidivism of sex offender is high? Where did you hear that from? Except politicians and people like John Walsh? Many studies say otherwise, here is a link to many state specific and DOJ studies which say recidivism is 5% or lower, less than any other criminal, except murderers.

http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com... http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com...

And from the DOJ:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff....

Recidivism

• Of the 272,111 persons released from prisons in 15 States in 1994, an estimated 67.5% were rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within 3 years, 46.9% were reconvicted, and 25.4% resentenced to prison for a new crime.

• The 272,111 offenders discharged in 1994 accounted for nearly 4,877,000 arrest charges over their recorded careers.

• Within 3 years of release, 2.5% of released rapists were rearrested for another rape, and 1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for a new homicide.

• Sex offenders were less likely than non-sex offenders to be rearrested for any offense –– 43 percent of sex offenders versus 68 percent of non-sex offenders.

• Sex offenders were about four times more likely than non-sex offenders to be arrested for another sex crime after their discharge from prison –– 5.3 percent of sex offenders versus 1.3 percent of non-sex offenders.

Sex offenders

• On a given day in 1994 there were approximately 234,000 offenders convicted of rape or sexual assault under the care, custody, or control of corrections agencies; nearly 60% of these sex offenders are under conditional supervision in the community.

• The median age of the victims of imprisoned sexual assaulters was less than 13 years old; the median age of rape victims was about 22 years.

• An estimated 24% of those serving time for rape and 19% of those serving time for sexual assault had been on probation or parole at the time of the offense for which they were in State prison in 1991.

• Of the 9,691 male sex offenders released from prisons in 15 States in 1994, 5.3% were rearrested for a new sex crime within 3 years of release.

• Of released sex offenders who allegedly committed another sex crime, 40% perpetrated the new offense within a year or less from their prison discharge.

Child victimizers

• Approximately 4,300 child molesters were released from prisons in 15 States in 1994. An estimated 3.3% of these 4,300 were rearrested for another sex crime against a child within 3 years of release from prison.

• Among child molesters released from prison in 1994, 60% had been in prison for molesting a child 13 years old or younger.

• Offenders who had victimized a child were on average 5 years older than the violent offenders who had committed their crimes against adults. Nearly 25% of child victimizers were age 40 or older, but about 10% of the inmates with adult victims fell in that age range.

Avendora, says:

The posting of sensitive information like where a person works will cause a HUGE rise in homeless SO's, contribute to thier delinquency (failure to register violations), and increase the risk that one might reoffend.

I like how this article sees that point and tries to inform the public of the dangers of too much information in the hands of vigilantes...

Oshunblu, says:

Just get some people to knit big SO PATCHES with red yarn and let's just have them wear these everywhere they go like they did to adulterers and Jews. It will save a lot of paper work!

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

jtmbls, says:

OMG – Oshunblu - Did you seriously just compare child molesters to the Jews??? Because committing adultery and being Jewish are so very much like the people we are talking about here? WTF?

s.o.i. - Nice summary. Perhaps when I am off work I will have the time to research those numbers myself and see exactly how far you have spun the DOJ stats. Until then, according to you, we must be doing something right if these offenders become such upstanding citizens after their release. I wonder if it’s has anything to do with the fact that everybody is paying a little closer attention.

jtmbls, says:

s.o.i. - After a little fact checking I see that I may owe you an apology. Your post is exactly as presented by the DOJ.

However, the following information you left off (available from the same DOJ link) about the report that you cited lessens it's impact considerably in my opinion. 1.) This is the first study of its type. 2.)Only a portion (9,691) of offenders from 15 states (out of 50) were tracked for only 3 short years. Even serial killers take long breaks.

"11/03. Presents, FOR THE FIRST TIME, data on the rearrest, reconviction, and reimprisonment of 9,691 male sex offenders, including 4,295 child molesters, who were tracked for 3 years after their release from prisons in 15 States in 1994. NCJ 198281"

According to this DOJ press release from June 2, 2002, you are right, the recidivism rate is much lower than say a car thief (79%) but still, a rate of 41% for sexual assault and 46% for rape - still pretty high in my opinion.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pres...

SexOffenderIssues, says:

Well, this study is about rearrest for ANY crime, not just sex crimes, so of course the recidivism there will be high, that is obvious.

But if you consider rearrests for another sex crime, that goes back down to about 5% or less.

Look at all the other studies I linked to, these are actually studies, not from me distorting the facts, they are actual studies and links to those studies, and almost ALL of them say the same low < 10% recidivism rates, if talking about rearrests for other sex crimes. When you take ANY crime, then of course the recidivism is going to be high.

http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com...

http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com...

SexOffenderIssues, says:

You will notice in the same study, for released rapists who committed another rape, it's 2%.

You will also notice this study says "any new crime," which could be ANYTHING.

And to get the true recidivism of sexual offenders, you need to look at new sex crimes only, not anything.

SOAP, says:

The problem with listing offenders work places is that a lot of would be employers will not hire sex offenders for fear of their business' success. Not to mention the constitutional issues! All that is going to happen is that the people who are to "register" wont! Which in turn will wind up with a lot of people being arrested for not "registering" which in turn this will raise the recidivism rate so the politicians who make these BS laws can say see told you so. Even though they are the ones that created it in the first place. Instead of looking for reasons to hate sex offenders try taking a look at a group (no different than thieves etc...) that have served and paid their debt to society and want nothing more than to get along with their lives.

www.sexoffendersagainstpersecution.com

momzilla, says:

Wouldn't be an issue of they'd keep them in jail. When I still got the dead tree version of the Star-Telegram, I was commonly outraged at the number of offenders who had a high rating for likelihood of reoffending, yet had received deferred adjudication for their crime.

By the way, rottenneighbor.com now shows sexual offenders on their neighborhood maps.

Relating to listing place of employment on the database ... I guess I need to think on that one. I can remember being frightened by finding an individual on the database on my block, but on further investigation learned that it was an incident involving a seventeen year old boy and a fourteen year old girl which was technically, if not legally, consentual. Not the same problem as having the rapist of a five year old living next door.

MSLGWCEO, says:

Could you explain why my post was deleted?

I only post facts and relevant material.

Truth is truth.

Once truth is acknowledged, it cannot be denied and yet be true to one's self.

I ave a sense that the deletion was your own insecurity, since you already made up your mind and do not wish anyone to be confused by the FACTS brought out by the EXPERTS, rather than the emotional laws that make for bad law. I firmly believe with my entire being that laws based on "emotion" make for bad law." And "emotion lacks intelligence."

I believe your deletion of me post is nothing more than censorship. You don't want readers to know what the experts are saying about these Draconian sex offender laws that endanger children. It's all about the politics of fear.

MSLGWCEO, says:

No, I didn't infringe on copyright. I do copy many articles and facts, however, the fair use policy does allow this for discussion, education and reference. I've been doing this for a number of years without any problems whatsoever.

This is the first time that I have been censored. I say censored, because I cannot see that it is anything but, censorship of facts, brought out by government statics.

In all the thousands of posts that I have made, this is the first time that a post that I have made was deleted.

I'm sadden and confused, as well as greatly disappointed.

MSLGWCEO, says:

I calculated much of that article as far as dollars go and the references are public government material which is QUOTABLE and I also give credit at cfcoklahoma.org to all references.

There is no infringement on copyright whatsoever.

I've been doing this for a number of years and am very careful NOT to INFRINGE on anyone!

MSLGWCEO, says:

www.cfcoklahoma is my web site. I am not infringing on myself, if that is what your implying. Other than that what specifically are you referring to??

Anyone can calculate what this will cost tax payers for laws that are ineffective and do not protect children or society. They do "More Harm than Good."

These are government facts and there is absolutely no infringement whatsoever.

Credit is given to everyone.

I think you guys are a bit too, well, quick to jump to conclusions. You have my e-mail address, I wish you would have contacted me and voiced your concerns because someone jumped the gun and censored me. I believe that person didn't like the facts that were referenced. I see, others quoting facts and they didn't get censored. So why specifically me? I have not infringed on copywright at all.

xdavidwattsx, says:

Probably because nobody else is pasting 39 page long posts of stuff taken straight from a website. If you want people to look at something from your site, then just link it instead of copy and pasting the whole thing. No need to hit us over the head with it and make the thread unreadable.

jtmbls, says:

Directly from the press release - "Those with the lowest rearrest rates were former inmates who had been in prison for homicide (41 percent), sexual assault (41 percent), rape (46 percent) or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (51 percent)."

Anyway, I am done here. I couldn't give two turds about the rights of sex offenders.

jtmbls, says:

Except to say - What Jason - No rant on statistics??

MSLGWCEO, says:

Well, lets try this and you can calculate your state as to the millions to implement the AWA in order to save a few thousand.

Find the article here. http://cfcoklahoma.org/index.php?opti...

jtmbls, says:

Don't laugh at Doyle's love child!

TimP, says:

With out question the adding of a place of employment to the sex offender registry will cause most sex offenders to be without a job. Study after study showes that the more stable the life of a released sex offender the less likely they are to re-offend. And most of you missed the point, many on the sex offender registry are on it for crimes that do not have anything to do with childern. Futher more that the public is not being given the full story by those in office. Those in office are using this issue to get more votes at time of re-election. Sex offenders do have one of the lowest recidivism rates amoung all criminals with the execption of those who commit murder. 3.5% are reconvicted of a new sex crime within 3 years of release from prison. (USDJ the offical keeper of all crime records for the USA). If those in office realy wanted to protect us they would wright a law that all KNOWN SEX OFFENDERS MUST PAY FOR TESTING THAT WOULD SHOW HOW MUCH OF A DANGER THEY ARE TO RE-OFFEND. THIS TESTING IS AVALIBLE AND IS MORE TELLING THEN PAST CRIMES. After all is that not what we as the public want, to know what criminals are of them most danger to us.

jtmbls, says:

TimP - In response to the unwelcome email you just sent me, (I think poor boundaries should be the first test for reoffenders) I cited where I got my numbers from and have much better things to do than argue about scum bags with you. Please do not bother me again.

MSLGWCEO, says:

Texas, like many states have passed thoughtless, emotional knee jerk legislation that actually endangers children and society. Perhaps they could learn from Maine.

"Maine is one of the few states that is going about this correctly. They are "LISTENING TO EXPERTS, rather than passing emotional knee jerk legislation which protects no one but endangers everyone. The vast majority of states have passed laws that "Do more harm than good."

Protecting children and society must be done "intelligently."

Here is a short "audio clip" referencing the issue in Maime.

"Effectiveness of Sex Offender Registries Explored By Legislators-LISTEN"

Listen here: www.cfcoklahoma.org."

Seanchai520, says:

I personally believe that a lot of the “sex offenders’ are exactly as Jason Rice described – an 18 year old copping a feel on a 16 year old, both of whom are willing participants. I believe that the circumstances surrounding a charge have to be reviewed prior to an individual being labeled as a sex offender for life. If it is a serious charge – i.e. child molestation/abuse, rape, etc., then by all means, keep them out of childcare center, schools, Chuckee Cheese, etc. But in all reality, if a person is not able/allowed to support themselves, they will be forced into a situation that would eventually jeopardize our societal well being. I am by no means a fan of sexual predators, and can’t honestly say that I was shed a tear if they were eradicated, but that is not the world we live in. Therefore, have them register accordingly, and don’t mess with their livelihood so long as that livelihood is not remotely connected with their sexually deviant behaviors.

Again, if it is some young kid getting busy with another willing participant kid, then, let’s be reasonable. That does not deserve the label of “sexual offender” or “sexual predator.” I know this is a stretch, but law makers, please use your common sense (if you have any).

chriss, says:

How soon before some genius gets the idea of applying this sort of medieval punishment to other offenses and we're back to the days of the stocks and the ducking stool???

chriss, says:

Y'all don't get it. This is America and the goal is not to make society safer or do what makes sense. The goal is to produce as much punishment as possible to satisfy the free-floating animosity of the population at large.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

LABaker, says:

Jason, about a month ago stated - "Little 18 year old Bobby cops a feel off a 16 year old lawyer's daughter 20 years ago and I'm supposed to care that he sells me lawn equipment? They probably could gain access to his web subscriptions and car mileage but I don't want that info either."

Now... if you had an 18 yr old son who copped a feel or perhaps went further with his "16" yr old girlfriend, and your son was arrested and charged with being a pedophile because the girl wasn't honest about her age - perhaps 15 yrs old was the real age... what would your reactions be then?

Would you want your son's only mistake to lead him down a very uncertain path with those who are truly out there to hurt and rob children of their innocence or worse? Would you want your son to be forever listed as an offender - never being able to go near his future nieces or nephews or heaven forbid he married down the road and had children - not being able to be a part of their lives....OR, would you want your child to have a lesson taught but recognize it as a mistake and move on without criminally charging your child.

There should be laws in place for people who hurt children. However, when you have a child who makes a mistake, do you administer the death penalty for a bandaid mistake (18 yr old with willing participant of 15 pushing 16) or do you help them understand the situation and find a way to help each of them move on and have productive lives.

I think for many kids - the law might cross that line and find it easier to lump sum everyone into one category. But then again, would that not be profiling? The same as the person who tried comparing pedophiles to Jews? Or perhaps an entire race because one person committed rape.

I believe that there is insanity involved here. Somehow it stopped being justice and instead turned into a witch hunt.

I cannot imagine that a one of you who are calling for the death penalty and those ridiculous statements of one town for all the pedophiles would be yelling that if your child was involved.

I'm writing this because a dear friend of mine who lives in Texas is going through this very same scenario with her son for that very same mistake. If you think the charge just effects the person who was arrested, think again. It destroys families on all sides. It causes heart ache.

Yes, there are those who break the law and should be considered a pedophile. Then there are those who should not be.

LABaker, says:

What might be on the books in pretty type and print is not what is taking place in the court systems.

It's easy to look up a statute or code online especially when it does not effect you personally. It's also relatively easy to "poo poo" away when you are not watching the heart ache of a family because the law overlooked that precious little penal code from Texas.

So, creepy cradle robber or not... the law does not always reflect that of which is written in the law books. And due to that true and sad fact, children are being punished for crimes not befitting of what a pedophile should receive...and...conversely, pedophiles are walking the street while children like my friend's son is facing jail time currently.

LABaker, says:

Sir, I live in NW Arkansas in a cute little town called Centerton. So since you're into looking things up, find my town as I can assure you that I'm not Texas. So kindly do not assume that I'm writing in the third party about myself. We all know what we become when we assume things.

You made a statement in which I responded to. You chose to copy/paste a penal code that aside from reading it, have never dealt with before I'm certain.

I was explaining an exact scenario that was also spoken about by another person before I made any mention of it.

Now, to nit pick my words because you apparently and gratefully have never dealt with a court room for any problems (and I pray that you never do), and are looking at the legal system as an exact science in which will keep you innocent until proven guilty; is as jaded as I see views go.

If I'm having to explain what I originally wrote so that you can understand, then continuing this thread is not worth it.

But there in itself lies the problem with the majority of the population. Until an issue hits them personally, they'll turn their head because it's "not their problem"; they'll say it'll never happen to them; statements will be made as "they had it coming to them"; and they will whine and cry about what should be done but will not go out there heaven forbid on free time of theirs to help change the system so that it better.

It's the same as listening to the people squall about what they will do if x candidate is elected as president or "we don't want him in office cause he'll do this or that" but the very same persons making the statement are not even motivated enough to go register to vote so that they can back their words and be a part of a change.

Sir, nobody took anything out on you and how snide it was for you to accuse anybody of hiring "a hobo as an attorney". Discussion was being had, and Sir, if you took something personal because I made a statement about a copy/paste you made, and discussed what the law does or does not do while you made assumptions and personal attacks towards me... well I wish you a better day today.

I do stand behind my words about what I feel the law is doing or not doing. I don't sit back and just whine about issues. I can track 4 pedophiles within a mile of where I live now. I have 5 children. And, the crimes that the 4 around my area are charged with are applicable to the law for punishment. They were not boyfriend/girlfriend mistakes that the law felt they needed to set an example by. I also have taken action on a town level to help make changes in my own community by getting involved in it. I raise my children, I work, I pay taxes and I am a registered voter. I along with my husband run our town's neighborhood watch. I've sat on committees on a city government level for just such issues and keeping our children safe.

I sit here and wonder about who just types into a forum and who actually gets up and does something to the best of their abilities to help strengthen their communities and safety.

I'll not apologize if someone is offended or upset from what I am standing up for when I see laws that need serious overhauling.

Unfortunately, the majority of the people look at life through a kaleidoscope view of their reality until crime strikes home for them, and then and only then does the recognition of what this country is not doing on a federal or state level begins to come into focus for them because now they are amongst the numbers.

The only thing I'll apologize for is the length of this blog.

Get involved, stand up for what you believe in, come out of the protection of your homes and offices and get your hands into the mix of bettering your community.... or....sit back, type about it here only and pray that nothing criminal ever happens to you or your family.

ch0, says:

I too am a literate Arkansan, born and raised.

LOL @ Pavel

ch0, says:

Yeah I'm published (barely), but you wouldn't want to read, nor would I want to write, a full-length discourse on any subject.

With regard to Arkansans, yes there are indeed two basic types, with a considerable amount of overlap. My roots lie on both sides, which have made for some interesting intrafamilial contrasts. The southern rural culture is a fascinating one, warts and all.

With regard to the thread topic, I'd be interested to see your link, Mr. Lishin. So much of our opinion is generated by cultural consensus, but culture varies widely from place to place. This seems like one of those spots where it's justified to demarcate "good" from "evil", but oh, if it were only that simple, priests wouldn't be raping boys.

BTDT, says:

While the personal concerns of all parties regarding these Registries are certainly valid, a few major facts regarding many of those who are required to register each year are often overlooked. Notably, many of those who are publicly listed as "sex offenders" are in fact individuals who were arrested and prosecuted for one questionable offense based upon an assumption of guilt and wrongful intention in reviewing and interpreting the circumstances of a single circumstantial incident by authorities within the System.

Others are individuals who inadvertently forgot to zip the fly of their trousers, which happens to everyone from time to time, or were seated in a public park or restaurant in a pair of running shorts which unintentionally and unknowingly exposed them to someone who them reported them for "indecent exposure". Yet other supposed criminals stopped along the highway in the middle of the night to take leak in the bushes when they couldn't find a public restroom open anywhere, and were seen by a LEO or someone else who reported them. In each of these examples, individuals have been arrested and prosecuted as "sex offenders", and subsequently required to register as such every year for life.

Their lives are essentially destroyed as a result of their new legal classification. They most often lose their jobs and their marriages, are unable to find new jobs or new marriage partners, become shunned and alienated by friends and family members, and are constantly discriminated against and harassed by the Criminal Justice System and the communities in which they live.

Nobody usually bothers to check the facts of the incident surrounding their demise, but only see the incriminating charges attached to their names on the registry web sites. The general public seems all too happy to summarily condemn these innocent people as perverts whose personal losses and hardships are simply a matter of "getting what they deserve".

While I wholeheartedly applaud any efforts made to arrest, prosecute and monitor those who really are guilty of rapes, child molestation, or other sex offenses of any kind, as witnessed by the their repeat offenses and overwhelming evidence confirming their guilt, the "one size fits all" mentality of Law Enforcement personnel and Criminal Justice System authorities continues to do irreparable harm to many, who shouldn't and wouldn't be included in the Registry System if their cases were honestly and fairly reviewed on an individual merit basis.

I only raise these points because I have sadly seen people I personally know and love destroyed in the wake of such travesties of justice.