Like many parts of the country, sex offenders in Illinois are struggling to find housing because of all the restrictions imposed on them. A group of registrants who are being denied release from prison because they can’t find housing, are suing.
One registrant involved in the lawsuit has remained behind bars for six years after his scheduled release date because he can’t find compliant housing. Though he has family that would take him in, either they live too close to a school, day care, still have minors living in the home or cannot give up their internet access (one of the requirements). No halfway house can take them, which leaves a number of people stuck behind bars indefinitely.
The story was featured on Peoria’s NPR affiliate station. You can listen to the report here: https://cpa.ds.npr.org/wcbu/audio/2017/11/dead_time_171113_mrg_for_ipr.mp3
There is as bit more to this story than what is being told. You see, IL created this 3 years to life MSR statute in response to a special situation. Before this law, sex offenders nearing parole actually CHOSE to stay in prison and finish their parole terms in prison. This was because of the difficulty they faced in finding place to parole to and living under the vast and ridiculous conditions that are set for a period of usually 3 years. So, instead of suffering all that, they felt that a year and half (because that additional time was eligible for day for day good time, ie. 50%) more of prison was better than 3 years of parole. Well, that changed a little bit when the Records Offices at most prisons took it upon themselves to determine that such situations were not eligible for day for day good time and instead only awarded 4.5 days of good time per month served (or 85%). This was especially true for those serving sentences that were at 85%. There is no law that limits the records office from choosing this, either one way or another. It is strictly at their discretion, though their capacity to choose so is slowly dwindling as since those prisoners in that situation are becoming less and less scarce, replaced by those with 3 years to life. Be that as it may, this 3 years to life MSR was created specifically to “combat” that. It was figured that a sex offender gettting completely discharged without doing parole (even though he served more time in the long run and sometimes even longer than he was sentenced to) was just not their cup of tea. Interesting huh?
I dont understand! People seek change but if the effort for that change will not directly affect them, they dont want to take part or donate to challenge that effort. Prove to the world that the laws are unjust and inhumane and that you truly want to see change by donating to one or more of the options at this link: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/donations/
That former inmate is now officially a prisoner a person illegally being held against his will not only does he need to be released but also compasted for the last six years financially now that’s punitive
Reminds me of Seminole county…. Said I couldn’t get out of jail until I had housing, but provided no way to communicate with me to obtain said housing. My only choices were collect calls or writing snail mail. But OF COURSE someone they had some sort of deal with would take me…. Turned out to be a shady old man who stole my food stamps and cut off our hot water while I and about 4 the guys slept in a broken down trailer on the floor with roaches and God knows what else crawling on me at night.
Getting so deep starting to smell!
O.k. so if this is happening then it is double jeopardy nixing the statement that being on the list is not punitive.
if you serve one more day than you were supposed to then legally that is punitive no matter how you look at it.
this should be an easy fight against the registry or living restrictions if a judge or group of judges still use the law as a way to make a reasonable decision.
Yes. It’s as Black and White as the News Paper !!!. But it seems like our “Government” only hires people that are “Color Blind” !!!!!. Anyone being held in Jail, Prison,Or ANY area of Confinement, After they have “Served Their Sentenced Time” Is as ILLEGAL as the Crime they Committed that put them there !!. The “Constitution” is a thing of the past !!!!!!. When someone (The Government” can BLATANTLY , Violate the Laws and Rules of The Constitution (Laws EVERYONE INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW AND OBEY), This just PROVES that the Constitution is “A Thing Of The Past” and Our Country is on a Downward spiral that Can’t be Stopped !!. The ONLY thing that COULD (and I say this with much fear) change the way things are going is a REVOLT !!!. But , Our Citizens have become such a bunch of “Woosies”, That are so Scared of “Getting into Trouble” or being Arrested, That nobody has the “Guts” to stand up against all this Injustice !!!. We/Everyone needs to ask themselves, What if it was ME that was being HELD AGAINST MY WILL FOR NOTHING ???? What would I do or want to be done then??????. If “WE THE PEOPLE” Don’t defend our “Rights”, Who Will ????. If “WE THE PEOPLE” Don’t fight for those who can’t fight for themselves (people being held in prison, jail, Confinement), Who Will ???. It’s time to do SOMETHING !!. NO IM NOT SAYING GRAB A GUN OR WEAPON AND HURT ANYONE !!!. But maybe we put aside our Embarrassments for a day(or week/month) and Gather to PROTEST this ILLEGAL Wrong doing !!!. I mean, It’s inevitable that everyone you know will eventually find out about your “Status On The Registery”, If everyone doesn’t know already !!!!. So why not just “Get it over with” and Everyone MEET TOGETHER to PROTEST this Crap !!!?????. I’m in Ocala, And I’ll meet with anyone wanting to defend our Rights !!. Yes, I’m embarrassed of my PAST, But key word is “PAST” !!!. We MUST WORK TOGETHER to save our FUTURE !! . A old saying goes, Everything is Legal until you get caught !!!, Well, We’ve “Caught” our Government doing to many “ILLEGAL” things, It’s time we let them know about it !!. PEACEFUL PROTESTS !!