Why Are Sexual Predators Ever Released?

[Gray Peterson]

I had a friend of mine who was convicted of rape of a child in the first degree, Class A felony. It's considered a violent sex offense, the worst kind. The reason?

He was 14, the other person was 12, less than two years apart. The only reason it was considered non-consentual was because of the person's age.

 

[10shooter]

14 years of age is a child in all states unless declared an adult by a court, which is allowed in only a few states for a few extremely heinous crimes. A child can not commit a crime but only a civil tort and does not carry the adult stigma of a felony.
With that said if someone commits rape regardless of age difference between attacker and victim its still rape.

 

[Shane333]

I've got mixed feelings. My initial instinct is to say, "put any convicted rapist/child molester to death immediately." However, I also realized that there are sometimes false accusations and other circumstances that require consideration.

And so, I suggest that all things be carefully considered for the first time offender.

Repeat offenders or those that rape/molest multiple times before getting caught deserve no mercy though. Send them to their Maker to receive their recompense.

 

[Parallax]

Sexual predators are released because we have to make room for drug "offenders".

 

[coylh]

armoredman: "Prison is, by definition, one of two things - punishment, or rehabilitation."

Don't forget isolation.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Y'all are funny! The majority of you here thinks that sexual predators should not be released from jail/prison, but the major of folks in this thread, http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=131871&highlight=paid+debt+society think that rights should be restored to criminals after serving time. It sounds like something of a double standard.

timetofight, you are correct in that statistics do not lie. However, they do not tell the truth either. Statistics are comprised of raw data and interpreted data. Raw data ban be biased or unbiased. More often than not, it is biased in some manner, either by collection filters or via the population being sampled. Next comes the interpretations. Interpretations of raw data may be used incorrectly or can be used to create lies.

The classic simple use of statistics problem is one used to judge personality types. Is the glass half full or half empty?

 

[armoredman]

Is the glass half full or half empty?

In my opinion, the glass is cracked, and the water poisoned....

 

[Zeke/PA]

I think that all sexual predators should at least serve out the origional sentence handed down.
If there is no room in our motel style prison system, create Nazi style concentration camps complete with Dobermans and high-voltage fences.
Time after time when these slime balls are released from prison, they act again and in the recent Florida case, a child paid the price.
Another A- PLUS for our wishy- washy Judicial system.
Zeke

 

[armoredman]

Motel? Not quite.

 

[TimRB]

"Prison is, by definition, one of two things - punishment, or rehabilitation."

It is also a third: isolation. This is the most important in my view, because it works. We can argue 'til the cows come home about the effectiveness of prison as punishment or rehabilitation, but locking up violent criminals and keeping them separated from decent people clearly gives society some measure of protection. The other two are only "maybes".

Tim

 

[justashooter]

if sexual offenders have to put a sign in their yard identifying themselves by their history for the rest of their lives, so should all other offenders.

would be fair to people who invest their money with others, or buy used cars, or go to a doctor, or lend a guy a lawn mower, or offer a guy a beer...

i think scarlet letters are a big part of the problem. if you put someone in a box for long enough, they are liable to end up thinking they are a cube.

 

[Cool Hand Luke 22:36]

Sexual predators should only be released from prison in a body bag.

As was said above, the reason why they are released is because the cell space is needed for drug crimes. Screwed up priorities in other words.

 

[LeonCarr]

I agree with 10shooter 150%. After 12 years in Corrections and 9 years in Law Enforcement, I have realized that the only way to absolutely, positively stop a sexual predator from re-offending is cranial injection of jacketed hollow points.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[armoredman]

This was in relation to sexual predators, but seemed to branch out to all inmates, which is how I am answering this issue.
TimRB, I am very aware that our first Strategic issue is "Protection of the Public now, through facility and field operations, and use of the industry's best practices." quoted from our latest memo from the Director. I understand that we are the first line of defense keeping these convicted predators away from you and yours, and i do it regardless of what anyone thinks about it. I also know i don't want them returning any time soon. We warehouse them, certainly, but eventually they get back into society. Do you want them coming back snarling animals, worse than when they left the streets, or attempting to honestly fit in, the round peg in the round hole? What happens to them inside makes the differance. I have seen inmates have to be Tasered to get them out of thier cell to be RELEASED. I have also seen former inmates in succesful businesses. Which is preferrable?
Once again, if you who claim tax cuts are what we are all about, are willing to fork out $19,000 a year PER inmate, then we'll keep 'em behind bars for you. (I like job security, and it is a growth industry, unfortunately.) If you want the sentancing laws changed regarding sexual predators in your state/county/city, lobby your local elected things to do so.
Cool Hand, not one inmate I can remember having ever looked up, had only a drug charge. Most had assault, armed robbery, sexual assault, etc, usually an offshoot of trying to support thier drug habit, or what happened under the influence of these selfsame drugs. Many argue the drugs laws need to be liberalized, and made legal,etc. if I wasn't watching what these inmates have done to themselves and others with these selfsame drugs, I might tend to agree. I realize many make the same arguments about alcohol. We prosecute those who violate alcohol laws, whether it be purchase/selling/consuming/possessing. DUI in AZ can now net you 5 years in a Level 1 facility....working road crews, picking up trash, and cutting trees and weeding the medians of our state's highways. $.75 an hour, .57 of which goes to restitution and fines. For those who complain that the state is paying the fines, it's cheaper than hiring outside work crews at $15 an hour to do the same work, which has to be done regardless.
I invite any and all of you who have never seen the inside of a real prison to contact your local institution to ask about tours.
We may be a 24 hour "hotel", but 5 star we'll never be...negative 5 maybe...

 

[Zeke/PA]

armoredman,
It is very true that I have never been in a prison on either side of the bars.
It is also true that there is such a thing as "Career Criminals" who in your wildest dreams will NEVER be rehabilated.
As an example, this latest Florida slimeball had 24 previous arrests.
He was handed a 10 year sentence for child sexual abuse and was out in 2 years.
The list goes on and on where these bastards are set loose to harm again.
I think that a sexual predator when released from prison should have his forehead tattoed stating the fact.
Motel prisons? The prisoners lifestyle of today sure beats making little rocks out of big ones.
Zeke

 

[TimRB]

"Do you want them coming back snarling animals, worse than when they left the streets, or attempting to honestly fit in, the round peg in the round hole?"

Naturally, I want them to come out completely happy, nice people. However, the reality is that violent criminals who end up in prison are not nice when they get there, and don't change while they're there. If you can keep them locked up and away from the rest of us for 19 grand a year, I'd say we have a deal. Feel free to try to rehabilitate him while you have him, but I won't be holding my breath.

"For those who complain that the state is paying the fines, it's cheaper than hiring outside work crews at $15 an hour to do the same work, which has to be done regardless."

Yes, a system otherwise known as "slave labor". I have no problem with prisoners being forced to do work, but not work that honest people are willing to do for honest pay.


Tim

 

[armoredman]

TimRB, believe me when I say I realize that quite a few will be released back into society snarling predators no matter what we do. There is one BIG reason why I carry 24/7! The theory is we try to rehabilitate, and we often cannot, due to one thing or another.
We do not have slave labor. Inmates are free to refuse work, which will reward them with loss of any priviledges they may have access to, incuding phone, store, TV, etc. The work on the roads is mandated by DOT of all people, and the state saves money by hiring the inmate work crews. this does double duty of saving money and putting inmates to work, as with Parallel Universe, we try to have them preform such activities as they would on the outside, such as work, with consequences when they refuse. An imperfect system, but it's what I have to work with.
Zeke, if you never see the inside of a prison, that's good. Yes, there are unrehabilitable scum who should be eliminated from society forever - my statement is why lock them up for life, and simply eliminate them. Alive, they may plan escapes, to return to thier evil on the streets, which has happened.
Now define sexual predator. This pile of used manure in Florida should have served full sentances for all offense, which, considering the number of convictions you state, he should be behind bars even now. Here is where we enter in an area specific to states -time served. "Good time", aka earned release credits are applied differently in all states. In AZ we require inmates to serve 85% of thier sentance before eligibilty for parole. Loss of good time increase that time in to full sentance, if need be. This is an additional disciplinary tool we have available, and do use.
Please understand, I am on your side, but dealing with the realities of the system I work in, and the ideal we strive for can often be very conflicting.

 

[thorn726]

Y'all are funny! The majority of you here thinks that sexual predators should not be released from jail/prison, but the major of folks in this thread, http://www.thehighroad.org/showthre...id+debt+society think that rights should be restored to criminals after serving time. It sounds like something of a double standard.

restored to criminals after serving time.

this is the difference. i don't think many people see sex crimes as crimes, but
deviance/insanity something like that.

honestly , i think "perv" types, molestors, shouldn't go to jail , but hospitals, and should not be released unless of until doctors feel they are safe (in addition to some term of confinement in some cases).
BUT- not much point wasting hospital space on incurable. repeat offenders, lock em up stop letting them out.

i think if it is determined person is no threat to society, they are tightly monitored, and have served hard time , they should also be released.

rape , when it is your typical man on woman attack , is more of a power crime, some of these can be rehabilitated.
i bet you anything we'll never see Tyson on trial for rape again for example.
but some are again the crazy pervs.

how to figure it out? tough one. until there is an easy answer, the fair thing is to give them hard time and a second chance.
i dont know about a third chance.

the two bigger complications are the drug war sucking up all the funding, and the fact that prison in many cases is not just confinement, it is torture.
what people are subjected to , it only makes people worse.

if i felt like molestor was gonna get locked up, have to hang out in jail forever, OK.

BUT- when i think well, molestor is gonna get beaten raped tortured daily by fellow inmates etc, im not sure this is a good thing.

 

[armoredman]

...the fact that prison in many cases is not just confinement, it is torture.

In any other country in the world, possibly, but if you're going to spout that about US prisons, you'd better produce some proof. Our inmates have it better than any others, (why do you think the Mexican Nationals ar fighting the idea of being house back inside Mexico?), and use of force is strictly controlled, except in the case of clear self defense. On some low custody yards, simply handcuffing is regarded as a use of force...

...molestor is gonna get beaten raped tortured daily by fellow inmates etc, im not sure this is a good thing.

This is why we separated all SOs from GP inmates. Cons have kids too, and as one inmate put it, "A chester is a chester!" We do keep an eye on things so this type of event is rare, and BTW, male on male rape in MY system is prosecuted with street charges - no exceptions.
Think about something - if inmates were being tortured DAILY, do you think our prisons would be run as orderly as they are? Disturbances and hostage takings still make national news, due to thier rarity, but if these inmates felt the truely had nothing to lose, this would be a daily ocurance....

 

[erikm]

One of the things I like about the dutch justice system is what is called 'Terbeschikkingstelling (TBS)', literally 'to be made available'. This is potentially indefinite detention in a secure psychiatric facility, to be served after a prison term. The patient's case is periodically (at least every 2 years) reviewed by a judicial panel with medical advice. It doesn't always work, but to me seems better than just releasing after spending time in the pen.

People who can read dutch should look here.

Cheers,
ErikM

 

[DFBonnett]

I voted for treatment. Here's the treatment..
Nads removed and johnson shortened to a stub or they stay in until hell freezes over. They get to choose.

 

[Sean85746]

There is no EXTREME

As a father and former cop....it is my opinion that there is NO punishment that is EXTREME for a child molester.

I would volunteer to administer the lethal injection, zillion volts, or bullet to the brain.

Make no mistake...sexual predators, almost without exception, return to their old ways once they are out of prison.

Do the world a favor...if you think of molesting a child...kill yourself. Just do it...end your life. Some of us would be happy to do it for you!

 

[fb]

I dont think it does any good to put a SOB like that in jail all his life. Nor does it help society to kill him.
Why not put him in jail until you at least find out what makes a man do such a thing? Or women I guess, dont know if women do those things.
Not every man hurts children. Or stalks women in order to rape them, What the hell makes people do such things?
I think it best to put them in jail until society can be assured the man is no longer a threat to himself or others.

 

[RevDisk]

honestly , i think "perv" types, molestors, shouldn't go to jail , but hospitals, and should not be released unless of until doctors feel they are safe (in addition to some term of confinement in some cases).
BUT- not much point wasting hospital space on incurable. repeat offenders, lock em up stop letting them out.

Child molesters find so many ways through "treatments", it's not funny. Many are very intelligent in addition to being very evil. Not sick, evil.

I'm not advocating executions for some 18 year old annoys the parents of a 16 year old. However, I am advocating executions for a 40 year old serially raping a number of children less than 10 years old. Here's a clue, if the number of children the freak victimized is in the double digits, he's not going to stop.

After seeing so many stories of confirmed child abuse, I'm not feeling very sympathic towards the offender. Something is very wrong with filling prisons full of non-violent drug offenders and letting these inhuman "people" walk after a few years.

 

[armoredman]

Something is very wrong with filling prisons full of non-violent drug offenders

Unfortunately, most drug offenders in prison come with a whole host of additional charges before they see prison time....weapons and robbery are usual...