Comments on: Vice: Why Some Sex Offenders Never Get Out of Prison

By: Sabrina Knight

Sabrina Knight — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 05:15:19 +0000

I don’t know, I was molested, raped multiple times & not a sex offender. But I recently saw a docudrama on tv that showed this man, who I’m not sure they got into his past, but right after he got into prison the first time, he asked for help. He said there was something wrong with him from the time he was a child and he wanted help. He pleaded for it. He asked to get into this rehabilitation program and for some reason his name was never added and he didn’t get in.
He instead served his time and then came out and did terrible things.
It just bothered me. As sad as I felt for the victims, I also had compassion for him.
Our entire ciminal justice system needs to be overhauled.
Especially with first time offenders, there needs to be an emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment.
As far having to register as a sex offender, it depends on the seriousness of the crime, I think. If it’s statutory rape, if you are only 2 years apart in age & it wasn’t forciple rape between partners, no.
If it is molestation, sexual assault or rape, yes.
But just with a parole officer, not a public registry. I do think victims have a right to know where the offender is, but that’s it. I think letting the public know and stigmatizing sex offenders is not the way to go. That is just going to cause fear and hate, duscrimation and violence. And under such social stress, the offender is more liker to reoffed. I think they should continue their recovery process and be on probation. And yes, if they have sexual abuse charges regarding pedophilia, there should be rules in place, but what they are, I can’t say. Having been on probation, just for shoplifting at a young age, I can tell you they keep a very good eye on you and yes special measures should be taken to protect the public & of course, never should an offender be allowed to live near his previous victim. But the other protections, so to speak, I can’t say.
We keep violent people we control in cages 23/7, but they end up mutilating themselves and it often ends in suicide.
Having been in jail as a psychiatric pod, we were kept 24/7 in cells of 2 on the floor, on mats, so we couldn’t strangle ourselves. It took me 2 weeks before I saw the Dr and a week more to get psychiatric medication I was on. And of course, any benzodiazapine you may have been on is just cut cold turkey, regardless of the dangers. If you do have a panic attack, such as I did, you get the restraint chair for 3 hours.
And this is just in pre-trial detention. I haven’t been proven guilty of anything. Mental health care and rehabiliation should be number one in any jail or prison & it’s just not.
As I said, the system needs to be completely overhauled.
I believe in early intervention when a child is showing signs of any abnormal behaviors emotionally. As I said, I do believe in rehabiliation, but I also believe in biology and I can’t say I have all the answers, especially if a biological psychopathy showing violence is diagnosed early in a child, and I believe in some children, this is just so.
Just some of my thoughts….

By: Derek W. Logue of OnceFallen.com

Derek W. Logue of OnceFallen.com — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:59:04 +0000

In reply to rpsabq. It doesn't elicit sympathy when these well-meaning reporters continue to use demeaning language like "sex offender" and emphasize the past record, and of course the results are negative. I've been denied media interviews and published OpEds because I refuse to allow them to drudge up my past. It has been over 20 years ago! Even this story wanted to talk about the interviewee's case.

By: Disgusted in Michigan

Disgusted in Michigan — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:35:45 +0000

In reply to Ed C.

I appreciated the female victim for seeing the humanity in registered persons and for speaking the truth that registries don’t work.
I was disappointed that Aishiff refuses to admit his guilt and for sending that picture to the producer. I don’t buy his claim that it was a mistake because he shouldn’t even have pictures like that in his phone. Not only that, how could it have been a “mistake”?.
I don’t keep pictures in my phone or computer that I wouldn’t want others to see. Whenever I send a work email with an attachment or a text with an attachment to a friend, I always sheck and double check to make sure that’s the attachment or picture I’m intending to send. There can never be a “mistake”.
All in all, it was a very informative production that was truthful.
But I still stand by my statement that registries need to be abolished.

By: rpsabq

rpsabq — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 05:08:31 +0000

Of course I applaud any outside organization who would devote a 45 min documentary to our cause. But time and time again it’s this theme of trying to evoke sympathy and compassion from the average viewer and that just doesn’t work. I dont care if you don’t like me or forgive me and luckily that doesn’t have to happen in order for me to be afforded my constitutional rights. THAT’s what the overall theme and message should be: the UNCONSTITUTIONALITY of these laws; the illegal ways in which sex offenders are treated compared to every other person in the judicial system. In America neither the mob nor the victim get to decide punishments. If that were the case, there would still be slavery in the South.

I’ve always believed that if the public thinks we’re so horrible and dangerous then put us in prison for life because on that logic this stupid registry and its regulations aren’t going keep anyone safe from such a “dangerous” person. Pushing that narrative would force the system to stop lumping us all togehter. But above all, I do not care if the public likes me or feels sorry for me or has compassion for me. My story is none of their business. The Constitution does not require compassion or understanding on the part of the public in order to function.

By: Tereto

Tereto — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:27:36 +0000

So I didn’t manage yet to watch it all, but just seeing the way the sheriff voiced his opinion, and the nasty comments left on YouTube. It’s clear, that many people have no remorse for us, would rather we serve life, or worse be executed. The sheriff I could tell, was closed minded, uninformed, or simply spitting false statistics. The sheriff also contradicted himself with an oxymoron, when talking about the numbers going up before coming back down, and how the number of CP related cases are rising, but actual human victims cases are probably going down. How could human cases go down? When minor’s are charged, when more CP is being produced, when victims don’t tell anyone, when new cases of unregistered people are charged, etc. If the laws really did anything to prevent this, than show the actual statistics! Alot of society is fine with what we got, and will probably never change their minds, just like the sheriff!

By: obvious answers

obvious answers — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 00:23:20 +0000

In reply to Maestro.

you are spot on. the entire thing is an emotional game play with zero relativity and no facts. There isn’t one argument used to support and the registry that doesnt apply to every single situation that is deemed illegal.if facts were told it would apply MORE to every other situation then “sex crimes”.. Drunk drivers,assault,murder,arson,jaywalking, speeding,not wearing a seatbelt ect.. Why do they only apply it to the “sex crimes?” 1) Because we live in an Elizabethan era society that while sex sells is it is also the most taboo of topics..”cover those table legs lest men fly into sexaul frenzies”…it is so ridiculous the panic on sex that even though the states cant even agree on what they want to make criminal. BUT they do agree if one says its a crime they all will punish you for life over it..The population love having someone they can enslave and demean so it works. 2) they dont do it for anyone else because they lock up so many people for other things there would be a revolt the likes of which would exceed the civil war if everyone else was also included in what they want to do to you..

By: Ed C

Ed C — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:39:03 +0000

I thought overall they did a good job with the documentary. Yeah, the sheriff is totally uninformed on the subject and just spouted what he needed to make political points. But some very important points about the registry were made. That was particularly poignant coming from the victim/survivor.

I was very disappointed that the SO emailed a picture of his penis. Just like I’m disappointed when an SO decides to reoffend. Even if the picture went to a producer by accident, why would someone take a dick pic and send it to anyone? That may be the only takeaway for some people watching the video. It only reinforces the stereotype that SOs are unredeemable sickos no matter how they appear on the outside. I don’t blame the documentary crew for including that vignette. Journalistic objectivity would probably demand it.

By: FAC Contributor #3

FAC Contributor #3 — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 20:49:14 +0000

In reply to Education. Who are you asking for help? Are you looking for a volunteer for the education committee?

By: Education

Education — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 20:06:31 +0000

Please help me send the research to Sheriff James Mendrick at:

Sheriff James Mendrick
501 N. County Farm Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187

By: Disgusted in Michigan

Disgusted in Michigan — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:57:10 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. I don't know how it is in other states, but in Michigan, if you cause trouble in prison, you get written a misconduct report. Not only do you lose disciplinary credits, you also get points that when accumulated, raises your security level. A person serving time in Michigan as a level I has it much better off than one in a level IV or level V. Most people in higher levels are doing a serious amount of time and some of them won't hesitate to shank someone doing time for a sex crime. Prisoners in level I aren't doing much time or pretty much have one foot out the door and aren't going to do anything to jeopardize their parole.