Offenders' register to include range of serious crimes

Olina Tretyak

Apr 29th 2010, 14:36

8. The individuals on the list are likely never to be able to live a normal life after being released from prison...as almost all are after a few years due to the $60,000 to $100,000 annual cost per prisoner. In the US, they often live in ramshackle shacks built by homeless members of the sexual offender list who have no ability to obtain employment and no ability to live in a normal neighborhood.

(From the letter of Dr. Phillip J. Holman, PLLC , Detroit)

Olina Tretyak

Apr 29th 2010, 14:34

There are many problems with the sexual abuse registry in the U.S.:

1. It is managed by incompetent and overburdened bureaucrats who are far more likely to list individuals who are not the intended individuals than the ones the public wants listed;

2. Errors abound and are difficult to fix;

3. Crimes involving he said she said are seldom certain;

4. When the allegations are highly emotional, the criminal justice systems demands someone be found guilty, whether or not the did the act alleged (or even if no such event occurred);

5. When an allegations is made years after the event...and especially by young children, the testimony is unreliable;

6. Therapists far, far too often coach their clients into recovering false memories of abuse that never occurred.

7. Inappropriate individuals are included...e.g., a 16 year old boy reported by the father of a 15 year old girlfriend;

Paul Barrett

Apr 29th 2010, 12:40

Quote: a sex offenders' register should not be limited to a name-and-shame-style list but should include information about potential victims and abusers. Unquote.

By implication then, any rumour or malicious anonymous accusation could end up on the register and thus blight an individuals existence for life. Great care must be taken or many lives could be irrevocably destroyed - it could be yours!!!!!