The island nation of Jamaica has a sex offender registry and that is bad. However, the registry in Jamaica is not available to the public and that is good.
One reason the Jamaican registry is not public is a vocal human rights activist who has warned and continues to warn that making the Jamaican registry public could lead to dangerous consequences. The dangerous consequences include lynchings and other attacks upon those required to register.
The activist agrees that those who commit sexual offenses should be arrested, convicted and sentenced to prison. She disagrees, however, that the public needs to know who those people are after they are released from custody. Instead, she argues that information regarding who has been convicted of a sex offense should be limited to those directly involved in the justice system such as law enforcement and court officials.
To support her position, the activist points to the recent murder of an individual who was mistakenly identified as a person convicted of a sex offense. This is just one example of what she calls “jungle justice” which she describes as often based on emotions and not on facts.
There are many examples of “jungle justice” in the United States. There are individuals in this country who participate in “jungle justice” by threatening, harassing, physically harming and even killing individuals required to register. Some of those individuals, including those known as “skinheads,” are even rewarded for their efforts.
Despite the harm caused by those who participate in “jungle justice” in the United States, government officials at every level (city, county, state and federal) continue to publicize the names and personal information regarding those convicted of a sex offense. In fact, some states include the name and address of the individual’s employer, and most states include the individual’s photo and home address.
Why is it that Jamaica, a nation of only 2.8 million people, understands the potential dangers of a public registry, while the United States with a population of 340 million people does not? It’s time for us to shine a light on Jamaica as a good example and to demand that the elected officials in the United States follow that country’s example.
I agree that those who have committed a sexual offense should be known to LE, I have to agree that publicizing the information is beyond not necessary. While the information is out there, there are more people that don’t check registries before moving into an area than do check.
It has always held true that the public release of a persons criminal history violates most states’ laws, there always seems to be the one exception made for sexual offenses.
I have said it before and I will say it again; a crime is a crime is a crime is a crime.
The elements necessary for a person to commit a criminal act against another person is the same, no matter the degree or heinousness of the crime.
If there is to be public notification of a person’s criminal history, then it should be for ALL people convicted of a crime, and not just the chosen few.
Well written and much appreciated. A public registry is not a deterrent, it serves only to stigmatize and harm not only the person forced to register, but his or her family as well. Further, the registration system casts a net over far too many – the vast majority of which are extremely unlikely to ever reoffend. As one law enforcement officer expressed it, “We know those who we are worried about, but we are required to register and follow those who we are not concerned about in exactly the same way.” It is counterproductive, expensive, wasteful, and profoundly harmful. We can only hope for a day with better wisdom and vision. Thank you for all you do.
Oh Janice, I could not agree more!! I remember the days when the CD rom was all there was, (and even so, my lawyer told me I wouldn’t be on it, if only I signed off on the plea bargain.)
If there absolutely has to be a registry, let’s go back to the CD rom! The police can sort out the lookie-lous from those with real concerns. But can we go back?
Ironically, the modern information age obviates the CD Rom, for both law enforcement and public consumption! I have given my phone number to potential mates and the first thing they do is innocently look up my social media accounts. I have none, but guess what comes up? They don’t call back. And we’re talking 50+ potential dates with adult children, out of the house. There is absolutely no need for them to know.
And law enforcement? In this modern world, how could anyone, convicted of a sex offense, get lost under their radar? They have a million and one ways to find out where we are, from license plate readers, to the DMV, to even the last place we used a credit card. One could argue that the Registry — the latest and greatest way to scare the public — is literally obsolete. It’s not needed.
I’d argue that the private sector surveillance in infinitely more up to minute accurate than the once a year registry requirement.
Thank you, Janice for the article. The registry did begin as privy only to law enforcement until the widespread availability of the internet and while the intent MAY have been good by the legislatorial genre, it certainly has produced awful consequences, some of which people, and the media at large, revel in. There is an ongoing judgemental cast in a lot of the hearts and minds of many people that once you are convicted of a crime, any crime for that matter especially serious ones, that you are unfit for society and you deserve to punished the rest of your life. Jamaica cares about the crime that the registry can produce and does produce by the public knowledge of every person forced to register, whereas the United States doesn’t care so much about the crime it produces but voter motivation and loss of authoritative position should they do anything that advocates on our behalf. Now it is public it has become nearly all politics, power, ratings, and money. Take away the registry, and you take away those things as well. The registry is now too foundational to politics, media, and society for the registry to be barred from the internet in the U.S. any time soon, especially when it has been seared into the minds of the people that the person forced to register who lives at such and such a street in the neighborhood is the worst fear and terror of every parent with children who live nearby.
Good post. I only point out that LE doesn’t need a registry, either. For one, they already have access to the National Crime Information Center, and running a query on it is really simple. Ditto the state counterparts.
For another, after all this time, I’d bet no LE organization at any level can point to one single criminal investigation apart from registry violations that the registry provided anything at all to its conclusion. Further, it hinders investigations in that the only arrests made are of (often innocuous) registry violations by those who pose no threat and had absolutely nothing to do with the crime purportedly under investigation.
Further still, in the very small handful of recidivism by a person forced to register (actual crime, sexual or otherwise, as opposed to registry violations), the registry and its associated obligations and restrictions did absolutely nothing to prevent the new crime and again, provided absolutely nothing to the investigation, identification, or arrest that couldn’t be found through normal, routine detective work.
As an “LE investigative tool”, the registry accomplishes nothing beyond adding an obscene number of man-hours and dollars spent when used as advertised. States want to keep it as inflated as possible to base their federal money requests. Same with sheriffs and local LE requesting funding from the state. That’s why some states refuse to remove anyone under any circumstances up to and including death (like Florida) and others are racing to replenish those that have been released (like California).
Everything (as stated) is true and a problem. We have not hit the politicians where it hurts. Getting votes. I am currently in Florida visiting and training on how best to engage and to be proactive. Now as an ordained chaplain while at the Florida capital I was received and listened to. While on the registry in California I was aggressively going at politics with a hard heart. Now, after prayer and counsel instead of focusing on removing bad actors in office I now focus more in getting reasonable people elected.
Our greatest challenge is getting those in our ranks to stop seeing themselves as civilian and powerless victims. We are soldiers in a WAR! Own it!!! Now suite up with your talents, passion and resources then focus them for the cause of change. Support organizations like ACSOL and their hard working staff. As Janice has said “we are better together.” So donate what you can Time, Money, talents and resources when and we’re you can. No amount is too small.
What a great article! I agree that the registry is wrong on so many levels. Let me add that, when people are given a sentence and serve their time, that sentence should end ! They have added registry time now for life in most cases ! If a person is deemed so dangerous to the public then THAT should be addressed in court also. The laws should differentiate between people who are dangerous and regular cases and they don’t. The cases are all jammed together and many younger people – sometimes even juvenile cases – should end when their time is served. If that part could change, as well as this extended registry and GPS tracking stuff, it would be more reasonable. Nothing will change until someone real important or wealthy, has a loved one that is affected. Sadly, those worst cases are paid out and they never see time inside or outside – its aweful and unfair. Extending sentences is actually unconstitutional – there should be a period at the end of every sentence ! I pray that the laws are changed to the correct and fair way like Jamaica has done.
How many of the ” Jungle Justice”, ” Street Justice”, ” keyboard Justice” , and ” Eye for an Eye/Tooth for a Tooth” should be a list? If you have that much hate in your heart you want to cause harm or kill another human for being on a registry. IMO you should be in a ” treatment” prison for life.
Another thought about advantage of restricting the registry to a CD Rom at a police station: there is an authority figure there to help a concerned citizen sort-through and process the information; as well as help to weigh risks, provide perspective and calm hysteria.
A doctor rightly calls a patient into his or her office if there’s sensitive and/or complex news to share. (It might even be against the law?) Yet lay people are left to discover that their neighbor is a registrant while sitting at their kitchen table, by themselves at home, with no professional support and guidance whatsoever? How terribly-cruel to foist such a thing — as the registry — onto the general public.
The US understands, and the ‘jungle justice’ is the point. The US wants ‘jungle justice’ to happen and actually encourages it because it distracts the majority from the crap that the politicians are doing in the back room to hurt everyone.
I am curious why haven’t those U.S. families of murdered or harassed registrants file a lawsuit into the millions that the state was a complicit component in the murder or harassment? Being murdered due to the registry is fatally punitive. Being harassed is traditionally punitive as though you were put into stocks in the city square for all to see, be spat upon, or worse, which is a form of punishment, but you are on display for all hours of the day, everyday.
The Smith v Doe, 2003 decision was that a person had to go into the police department, had to be involved directly with the case, and then get that info. It wasn’t meant to be broadcasted everywhere, iirc.
The US threatens other nations if they don’t fall in line by withholding aid and other forms of investment into a country via development initiatives etc. Island nations are particularly vulnerable. Whether Jamaica has been pressed on this or not, who knows, but that they have not succumbed to this thus far under either circumstances is good and let us hope they do not.
“Why is it that Jamaica, a nation of only 2.8 million people, understands the potential dangers of a public registry, while the United States with a population of 340 million people does not?”
Oh the United States gets it alright. To assume that it doesn’t is absurd.
Long before any of the violence and community disruption it has unleashed actually unfolded, it was only common sense what the result of such legislation would produce.
These criminals posing as lawmakers knew. The proof is actually written into the legislation where it warns (ha ha) not to use this information to do anything to the people they are warning you to live in fear of. That’s their sick sense of humor written into legislation right there.
They knew then, they know now. With all the well documented evidence of the violence they have incited in our communities, They cannot deny it!
Yet, they keep moving forward. Increasing the damage as they go because they see they can get away with it!
Definitely one of many war tactics being unleashed on our country.
Many people satisficed the terms of their sentences, discharging their debt to society, only to be told by a judge years later, now we’re going to re-adjudicate (double jeopardy) you for that conviction and make you perform some new duties for that ghost of an offense, or else back to your prison cell. We kept your bed warm for ya.
The offer – Perform, or prison, is Court approved involuntary servitude, slavery, human trafficking.
The US gets it… The courts play this game of make believe. If it looks like, walks like and quacks like a duck, lets still pretend our good ole boys club members are within their constitutional walls with this one.
Everything in the ocean blue and every bird and bee in the jungle too, know exactly what to do so America why don’t you?
Is there really any wonder why the people have lost all confidence in the entire system?
Its because everything is about punishment in the US. The public doesn’t even care about rehabilitation, even though most will be released from prison. All they care about is that you are punished and that its the worst possible, and even then they complain the law isn’t severe enough. Common sense says the registry doesn’t deter crime, nor does it keep anyone safe, after all, if it truly did anything, they’d have all types of crimes under one registry or another. It was nothing but a feel good measure, the police don’t want to get rid of, solely due the fact once they get something one the books they feels gives them an edge, or makes them seem they’re doing something, they dont want to lose it, no matter how wasteful it is. The registry in itself is a reflection of American society (vindictive, rash, and clueless).
Because they make victims out to be rock stars in America.
I’m just waiting for the law that requires People Forced to Register to be implanted with a tracking chip that LEA does not have the staff or equipment to properly monitor. I say this in jest…mostly.