MI: Unexpected comments from a prosecutor

[floridaactioncommittee.org – 6/6/18]

Ingham County (Michigan) Prosecutor Carol A. Siemon, issued a statement concerning the sentencing of former Michigan State football players in connection with a sexual offense.

Below is an excerpt from her statement, quoted directly:

The sex offender registry is a blunt instrument that I believe needs to be reformed and streamlined so that law enforcement can make better use of the information. It would be more effective as a law enforcement tool to keep the public safe if it targeted the cases that are most likely to result in recidivism – child abuse and child sexual assault, for example, or serial rapists.

The sex offender registry is just one example of the types of cases where we have laws that are well-intentioned, but go too far from their original intent – and don’t allow our courts to provide a proportionate response.

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D.A.s know it is a joke, but have little pull with facts being on their side. Look at the Persky recall. The D.A. and Law enforcement supported him, but use the word “rape” or ” porn” and the un informed public can be lead to do anything.

Wow. What a refreshing change to have someone inside the system admitting the Emperor has not clothes. That’s all SORs have been and are…everyone lying about how good, wonderful, needed, and helpful they are and that they’re not punitive. Meanwhile in private, they all know it’s a naked lie.

“It would be more effective as a law enforcement tool to keep the public safe if it targeted the cases that are most likely to result in recidivism – child abuse and child sexual assault, for example, or serial rapists.”

It seems likely that “serial” offenders of any kind would have higher risk of recidivism, as they’ve demonstrated that already by having committed multiple offenses of the same kind. I wonder if she has data that supports her claim that recidivism is more likely for those who commit “child abuse and child sexual assault” than for other categories of sex offenses?

Does anyone know of published statistics that break down recidivism among various categories of sex offenses? I’ve seen statistics that break out rape and sexual assault, but not other types of sex offenses, such as CP possession, production, or dissemination.

Be that as it may, basing registration on the offense category instead of on individual risk is still the wrong approach.