For a portrait of the Kafkaesque nightmare criminal residency restrictions can create, go read about the permanent sex offender camp that took root several years ago beneath Miami’s Julia Tuttle Causeway. Thanks to a local ordinance barring them from living within 2,500 feet of any place that children congregate, there was quite literally nowhere else for them to go.It stands as an object lesson in how not to do public policy. It’s a lesson that Grapevine has yet to learn. Last week the Grapevine City Council, citing a “frightening and…
Read MoreDay: January 29, 2014
Prison Inc: The Secret Industry
There are 2.3 million people living behind bars in the United States● The US prison system costs the federal government $55 billion every yearPRISON VS. JAIL● Jails are locally-operated facilities that hold inmates for a short period of time● Prisons are long-term facilities run by the state or federal governmentPRISON: A GROWING INDUSTRYBetween 1990 and 2010, the number of privately operated prisons in the US increased 1600%● Private prisons bring in roughly $3 billion in revenue every year○ Over half of this comes from holding facilities for undocumented immigrants■ Private…
Read MoreJesse Ryan Loskarn’s Last Message
The last month of Jesse Ryan Loskarn’s life was surrounded by a media frenzy, with what appeared to be the goal of destroying his reputation beyond repair. Newspapers and other media outlets depicted him mostly in a negative light and stole away any good he had done during his short but full life. During this tragic time he had no voice, but in his death he can be heard. Our society is quick to judge especially when the topic surrounding his death is so difficult. This letter written by Jesse…
Read MoreMO: Mom tells of teen’s life on the sex-offender registry
The Missouri Legislature overwhelmingly passed legislation last year that would remove many juvenile offenders from the public sex offender registry, which is posted on the Internet. It would not have lessened the punishment for any offender. Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed the legislation and then launched a misleading campaign in which he highlighted some of the worst offenders on the registry. Let me tell you my son Zach’s story, as it gives a very different perspective. It shows how harmful the sex offender registry can be for juveniles who should not…
Read MoreFL: Idea to put signs in sex offender’s yards brought up to Port Orange council
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Port Orange City Council members met Tuesday night to discuss a proposal to put signs up in the yards of sexual predators that let everyone know just who is living in their neighborhoods. The issue came about when a group of parents pushed to have a sexual offender moved away from a nearby elementary school. They got what they wanted when the man moved away. Full Article
Read MoreNH: House committee passes bill prohibiting restrictions on where sex offenders can live
A House committee easily passed a bill, 18-1, prohibiting restrictions on where sex offenders can live yesterday, noting that judges have twice ruled residency restrictions unconstitutional. Still, lawmakers predicted a tough fight in the Senate, which has rejected similar bills before. “There is a perception that this bill is being soft on crime,” said Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, a Manchester Republican who voted for the bill. “All of us who have heard (this debate) know the benefits of the bill. But we’re going to need to explain it.” Rep. Al Baldasaro,…
Read MoreSheriff Department Launches Sex Offender Watch System
STANISLAUS COUNTY – Sheriff Adam Christianson has announced the launch of a new service called OffenderWatch, a public notification system on sex offenders. The new service is a citizen-friendly, easy to use website that enables people to search for potentially dangerous sex offenders and predators, who may be in close proximity to their homes, places of work, schools, churches and day care centers. Full Article
Read MoreCO: Sex-offender treatment system criticized at hearing
A convicted sex offender publicly criticized Colorado’s treatment system at a legislative hearing Tuesday, saying he cannot even go fishing because his privileges have been restricted. ____ ____ spent seven years in prison for fondling a girl. He said he came out well-adjusted and optimistic and rated as a low risk to commit a new sexual offense. But after nearly two years of treatment in the community, “I don’t feel well-adjusted and optimistic at this point,” he said. Turner’s testimony at a House and Senate Judicial Committee hearing came on the heels…
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