Since 2016, most states and territories have changed their laws multiple times. Our analysis demonstrates these recent reforms have generally expanded the current system.
Rather than trying something different, the reforms have simply captured more offenders within the scheme, managed them for longer, imposed greater restrictions on their liberty and increased the consequences of breaching their obligations. Even where the system has been entirely overhauled, this has not aimed to implement anything new, but strengthen the existing approach.
While these types of reform may make sense to governments that want to be seen to be “doing something”, there is little evidence that simply doing more of the same will make the community safer.
In fact, evaluations of some more innovative approaches suggest measures that may be more effective.
Six Feet under here
An interesting read but I was never a threat to public safety. I believe that few RSO’s are really a public threat except in the minds who want to believe they are. I knew I did wrong, paid my debt and was ready to get busy back at a life of a law abiding citizen, one I had lived all my life minus 15 minutes. It was almost funny…in a weird sort of way…to watch probation monitor me as though I was a public menus. I probably lived a more ‘squeaky, clean’ life than 95% of them did. Today we have a system that is more aimed at condemnation and retribution than a true evaluation and forgiveness and restoration. I love to watch these ‘cross on a necklace christian’ politicians who do not know how to practice the Word of God if it ‘slapped them in the face’. Until the public is educated on the true nature of sex offenses, things will probably not change. Politicians will continue to feed on selling ‘fear’ and the good citizens will continue to believe that a registry somehow makes them safe.
Ditto. But as we used to say in the Army, “One ‘awww s***” cancels all your ‘atta boys’.” Thanks for your service.
I had a candid conversation with a young deputy when I last registered. He allowed as to how registration was ill-conceived. He also pointed out that officials would take a lot of heat if there were any high profile re-offense and they had not taken the most draconian steps to contain former offenders. No politician or public official wants a “Willie Horton” moment. CYA.
Veritas.
Its about retribution and prifiteering in the US, not rehabilitation to keep communities safer. The sooner everyone in the so called ‘free world’ realizes that, the sooner we all can make positive changes and move away from draconian practices.
*profiteering. Sorry for the typo.