Here’s a decent news story out of Washington State.
Ex Post Facto – Sustainer 2024
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ooops!!! You are absolutely right! I forgot to use People-First language.
Great Catch! I’ll work on being more aware of how I speak.
“Former sex offenders” was the term employed by Jeanne Baker in her televised debate with Ron Book.
It is by far the best terminology to use— it’s statistically correct, easy for the public to understand, and not to verbose— and I’m going to start using it i letters like this (if my letters are anywhere near as good).
Not registered person. Not registered citizen. Former sex offender. Keep it clear, folks!
(“Registered citizen” maybe ok to apply to oneself, though, in communicating with someone who’s already engaged in the issue. I neglected to read further down to the reply to the letter).
I agree, “former sex offender” is a great description.
Was is Janice Bellucci or someone else who once asked an audience if they had ever stolen something when they were a kid? Most in the audeience raised their hands. She then proceeded to shame them by calling them thieves. Then she helped them to understand how inaccurate it is to call someone a thief years and years later.
There were so many inaccuracies in that 5 minute piece it would take a 10 minute video to cover and debunk them all from experts (law enforcement officers who have never read a single study) to claiming level 3 offenders are the most likely to re-offend. While I appreciate there was a few quips of reason from the one gentleman on there, these people are contributing to the inaccuracies that abound.
Finally, after all that, they could of closed reminding everyone that using the registry for retribution or vigilantism of any kind is against the law.
Here is the courteous response I received from KIMA (and my acknowledgement reply):
Thank you for reaching out about the report KIMA did recently on those people who are on the sex offender registry.
To respond your concern that the reporter told people that sex offender are “especially likely to reoffend”, that may have come from mishearing what she said, and not hearing the rest of the story.
The exact quote is “Many, including some in law enforcement, say sex offenders are especially likely to reoffend.” She then followed that by saying “On the other hand, some mental health care professionals we spoke with say not all are dangerous and that with proper treatment that risk goes way down.”
The story itself went on to explain how many on the sex offender registry may not be at a high-risk to reoffend.
I hope that helps.
Thanks again for your email,
Jake Taylor
News Director/Anchor
(My Reply)
As a registered citizen, I thank you warmly for your courtesy.
And thank you for presenting a balanced and rational report.
My Name
Great job!!
I used to say “Registered Citizen” a lot or even better, “Registered Person” (because People Forced to Register (PFRs) are not REALLY citizens). But, I’ve stopped doing that and now just use the much more accurate “PFR”. The other terms are just too nice.
There is nothing legitimate about Registries. The people listed on them aren’t just citizens who are listed on some idiotic big government list. They are people who are being forced, at the point of a gun by criminal, illegal regimes, to be listed on a hit list and to help the regimes facilitate their harassment. That’s it.
They are PFRs. People forced to live in certain areas. People forced to work certain jobs. People forced to stay away from certain areas. People forced to go certain places at certain times. People forced to expose themselves and their families to dangerous vigilantes. People forced to lower the quality of life for their entire families. People forced to march to concentration camps. People forced to march to gas chambers. People forced to wage war and retaliate.
Will,
Historically, lists of names kept by a government (like the Nazis or the Italian Fascists) that prevented people from living in certain places or being able to get a job, were called blacklists.
Some unions and other public policy organizations used blacklists, as well.
Blacklists are always heinous and especially so when used by governments against their own citizens.
(The word “hit-list” usually refers to a list of people targeted for assassination)
So to be clear, we are all on a Government Blacklist. We are blacklisted and, therefore, banned from residence in much of our country. We are also being actively prevented from getting most jobs.
(By the way, I am a highly skilled technical consultant. I am fortunate to have my current job. It took almost a year to find it. Furthermore, I only earn about 1/3 of what others with similar job titles (systems manager) earn. My boss is no fool. He knows that it would be very difficult for me to find work elsewhere because of being blacklisted by the government, as I am.)
I feel that, compared to what most TV news programs run in regards to SOR, it is a decent story. Yes, I rolled my eyes at the opening statement about recidivism, and I wish they had omitted that or explained it more factually, but the rest of the piece does go to lengths to present the perspective of an SO and make clear that every case is unique. And it closes with the truism that it’s not the person on the SOR that people truly need to be worried about. Implying it’s those people under the radar, perhaps in our own homes or workspaces, whatever, that pose a bigger risk. Let’s give some credit where it’s due here. While not perfect, it’s better reporting than I usually see on TV news.
Megan’s “Law” is NOT a legitimate public safety tool. The media and cops need to stop glorifying and praising it like some “gold standard” of prevention.
This kind of knowledge is not power, it’s fear, hate and scare mongering superfluous information of zero merit.
Yes. Megan’s Law is based on LIES and MOB MENTALITY. It is a modern day SALEM WITCH HUNT.
It smacks of FASCISM and BULLY BOY POLITICS!
Let’s be clear.
Yep, Registries are not for public safety. They are for harassment and growing big government.
Megan’s Flaw is a disgrace of a country and dishonors her name.
Decent people don’t support Registries. Retaliate.
Hello:
I just sent an email to [email protected]. Here is a copy of the contents. (I will included the numbered links below the main text. )
Hello:
You recently ran a story on sex offenders that, at its beginning, stated that people are agreed that sex offenders will commit their crimes again.
This is, in fact, a widely held myth that is known by science to be false. Yet about one million US citizens (a little less than the combined populations of Vermont and Wyoming) are being denied their basic constitutional rights based on this common myth!
This is a copy of an email recently sent to Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes. Included are links to extremely credible academic and journalistic sources.
Hello:
Thank you for introducing legislation that is being considered in the State of Florida (SB 556) that would allow elderly Florida state prisoners an expedited release. However, sex offenders are specifically excluded from this program. According to the bill’s proponents, one of the major goals in going forward is to identify those prisoners who are least likely to re-offend (recidivate).
There is a common notion that sex offenders have a high risk of recidivism. This is patently untrue. The scientific evidence clearly shows that those who have committed sex crimes have the lowest rates of recidivism of any crime type except for murder.
Sir, please notice that these 6 linked pdf files are from credible academic, political and journalistic sources, and they are only the tip of the iceberg.
U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Justice Programs – Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending,Registering, and Tracking
Prison Policy.org
Yale Law Journal
The Washington Post
Women Against the Registry (This is a collection of links to bona-fide research studies by US State Governments and Universities)
Sex Offender Management Assessment and Planning Initiative (SMART.gov)
While I realize that this is not a popular topic, a grave injustice is being committed! For, if we refuse to release those prisoners with the lowest recidivism, (the least statistical probability of re-offense), we are turning our backs on science, reason, sound-policy and wisdom, and we are embracing witch-doctors, voodoo and magic charms!
Thank You.
My Name
My Town, FL
(Here are the above links that were included in the email.)
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ALLsUNeOH00pbEY&cid=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2&id=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124083&parId=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124069&o=OneUp
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AA%2DN0IBaxKIXUf0&cid=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2&id=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124073&parId=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124069&o=OneUp
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AqLPxbLnc0c8gbwG3X2UJn6EeHhoYg?e=qGDOQG
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AI%2DmNkZ9J87%2DUNY&cid=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2&id=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124071&parId=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124069&o=OneUp
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AqLPxbLnc0c8gbwKNT4xnhTuImE-9A?e=COikCI
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AMg%5FGBmXyx9QBFk&cid=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2&id=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124072&parId=3C4773E7B2C5CFA2%2124069&o=OneUp
I just sent the same letter to Governor Ron DeSantis (slightly altered).
It is my opinion that we must be willing to sit at the lunch counter, as it were.
I agree very much with the California Branch of NARSOL, ACSOL:
“SHOW UP, STAND UP, SPEAK UP”.
Look at the strides they have made!
ACSOL Kicks ass! I think we kick ass too, but our state is a disaster when it comes to this issue.
FAC will be on par with ACSOL as soon as we fully fund all FAC legal challenges.
Your letter was outstanding, much better than the one that I sent. As proof, you received a reply from the KIMA news director, whereas I received nothing. You should be on the media committee for FAC.
I do not buy his reply, though. This is what they all say: we misunderstood. “…especially likely to reoffend” is not mishearing.
I am not able right now to stay on top of the FAC website and follow all comments. There might have been some others that have become involved in this particular situation, but I have not caught your comments. If so, thank you for uniting in our effort to stop such inaccurate reporting.
My husband was released a week ago. With some dementia and anxiety problems, the sex offender probation and registry requirements have caused him to take a nose dive. I finally took him to an ER in a local hospital where they wanted to Baker Act him. Fortunately the psychiatrist on call put a stop to it saying he would be much better off at home with me as I am his lifeline. He found a better way for my husband to receive the medical attention that he needs. Probation does not seem to care. They only care about his curfew. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel for us, and hopefully that will be in the near future. I am working with an attorney on all of this.
Praying for you guys daily.
Fortunately a psychiatrist with some good sense.
A big thank you, Jacob
Great letter. So glad ppl are staying on top of the media on this.
Good letter except that it helped solidify that there are a group of people that we can all call “$EX offenders” and apply special laws upon. “$EX offenders” belong in prison.
This newsfeed implies that those that reoffened as level 3 and the biggest threat. In Florida any subsequent offense, not sex, even a driving offense is insinuated on FDLE as a sex offense
Besides being forced to be photographed every six months, i have to jump through new hpobs ever three years since my two probation was complete in 2002, and cant vote all hail the UDA9
PS My Probation never ended, quarterly theatened with arrest
Here’s a thought:
What if we filed (en masse) petitions for writs of habeas corpus?
I mean file ten-thousand, or so, petitions all on the same day.
We demand to have an end to reporting for several interrogations yearly at police headquarters under pain of felony legal jeopardy!
I truly understand the sentiments expressed so far over KIMA’s news story, particularly with Maggie Brown’s opening statement: “…are ESPECIALLY likely to re-offend.”
There was some information in this story that was accurate and rarely gets out into the media. I have commended the station for the release of that accurate information. I have also given them the research that debunks the falsehoods that were given in the story.
We have seen in the past how uniting against media outlets that give out false information can have an impact. It is going to take more than just my email. Let’s hold KIMA accountable for using only accurate information.
This station is CBS KIMA Action News in Washington. Their website is kimatv.com. They receive programming viewer comments at [email protected]. They can also be reached at 509.575.0029.
As Media Chair, I thank you for uniting together in this endeavor. It does bring about change in the long run.
Sarah, I totally agree with your last statement. A falsehood unchallenged gains unbearable strength. Each individual bit of activism may have only a small effect, but does serve to chip away at the problem.
Currently before my state legislature are two bills affecting the sex offender registry. I have no idea if the analyses I emailed to relevant legislators will have any effect. However, know that doing nothing will have none.
Veritas.
This story started out by NOT refuting the myth of high recidivism.
It is outrageous and inexcusable. And most people rely on our “Glass House” to try to silence the truth.
But a lie is a lie….not “Decent”.
Meh, kind of just goes over information that anyone with half a brain could find out on the old interweb.
Don’t tknow that I’d say rhis was a “decent” story. It opens repeating the falsehood that registrants are likely recidivists, and follows that “treatment” reduces said likelihood.
The overwhelming majority of sex crime are one-time offenses resulting from poor judgment, not some underlying mental health issue. Consequences solve more misjudgments than a mental health counselor ever will.
That is why registrant recidivism is so low – there was never a mental health ailment to cure in the first place. A prison term solved the problem, and desire not to return is why registrants tend to be so complacent with the absurd obligations and restrictions applied to them. Said obligations and don’t affect whether or not a registrant will commit another sex crime – they only serve to increase registrant recidivism for violating registry offenses.
Dear Dustin,
You should be the one doing a news story. You covered the matter very well. Great job!
A wile back in Seattle Wash State, a MR X was posting LEVEL #1 picts on a web site- who are not on the public web site- charging money to take them off- found it was the women who ran maintained the city S.O.R
Sorry but even though they admitted that not all offenders will reoffend they primarily talked to the police and they have a definite spin that doesn’t help us. Didn’t help when that reporters opening like e was “they will reoffend”.
Ditto Kevin. The spin has been spun again.