Secrets of the City

The sex offender program is shameful. Committing people for the duration of their life, after they have served their sentences is inhumane. People get all up in arms about Guantanamo, but let this slide. People being imprisoned without a trial by their peers is unconstitutional.

The most shameful part of this whole deal is that they are being held with little to no treatment according to the store. The stigma that has been placed on sex offenders by politicians pandering to their constituency on a “no-brain-er” issue has made this situation untouchable. I don’t believe any politician has the guts to say “Let my perverts go!” (Or something to that effect)

The would never get elected. Can you see the ads? “John Senator introduced a bill to put sex offenders back on the street and they might be living next door to you!”

If you want to hold them longer change the sentencing guidelines.

I have trouble even caring about this, given the nature of their crimes. But I can appreciate the point of the article. Also, I agree with Simpleton, sentences need to be much longer.

Many of these offenders can not be rehabilitated. If released, it is very likely that they will re-offened. I agree that they should receive treatment to see if they respond well. But if not, where should they live?

Why are sex offenders treated differently than murderers?

If a murderer has served their sentence they are released even if they are extremely likely to reoffend. In fact no effort is even made to screen murderers to see if they will reoffend.

Of course there are a number of sex offenders that will not respond to treatment and will need to be held basically forever but how can this be every single person in Minnesota.

Well, I think that was the point of the article, simpleton. That the emotional response to the tag “sex offender” is not accurate. That there are differences between those who have committed a crime and those who will most likely reoffend.

Regardless of how we feel about these people, we live in a country that says everyone deserves due process. To pass laws predicated on emotionally charged situations is never good for anyone.

I’m in no way supporting these crimes that have been committed, but if someone had taken a step back and looked at these cases individually, it makes me wonder if we would be in this situation right now.

Rather than releasing those who are more than likely not to reoffend along the way, we run the risk of them all being released.

I think some of us are more horrified by the crimes of sex offenders than murderers. Life without the possibility of parole would be an appropriate sentence in some cases. Since that sentence isn’t often used, I’ll support whatever program keeps the “likely to re-offend” cases off the streets.

I do agree it’s strange that no one has ever been released from the program.

Why are sex offenders treated differently than murderers?

Sex crimes are often more complicated. They are often psychologically linked, while many times murders are committed based on heat-of-the-moment anger, poor choices, gang membership, etc.
In the cases where the murders are obviously psychological in nature, such as serial killers, etc. There are evaluations to see if the suspect is mentally unstable and likely to reoffend. If the parole/release board decides that the suspect is still a danger to society, they may be released to protective custody or a mental institution. if they are relased at all.

Many sex offenders are sick,(attracted to kids, etc) and are more likely to reoffend, and are registered or monitored to prevent this. They may serve shorter sentences than murderers, but are monitored after release.

Dude, all sex offenders are sick.

Yeah, but the label “sex offender” is thrown out irresponsibly – knowing that public response will be outrage and most times, rightly so.

But, there is a huge difference between a level 3 – most likely to reoffend and someone who can be treated. A “one size fits all” approach to punishment is pretty inhumane.

Agreed. Anyone know what percentage of those committed to the MSOP are level 3?

Dude, all sex offenders are sick.

I disagree. Many sex offenders have been convicted of statuatory offenses.
A 16 year old kid who had sex with his 15 year old girlfriend can be registered in MN as a sex offender. I’d argue that that indivdual may not be sick.

Cat, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approcah in MN.
Level 3 registration requirements are much different than a level 1’s.
Level one sex offenders are not even public information, so the ‘label’ you speak of is not applicable.

Registration is one thing, Baker, but the article isn’t addressing the registration so much as it’s addressing the punishment.

When I was talking about the “one size fits all” approach, I was talking about the punishment. They threw all “sex offenders” into this MSOP program to “treat” and then release those deemed safe. If this was indeed what was happening, then there would be at least one person released alive.

And I guess I am assuming that these cases are reviewed on a case by case basis, only committing to detainment those who were deemed unsafe to be released into society. I guess the question really is are the committees really hitting the mark when they diecide who should and should not be released.

If you people knew more facts about most of those sex offenders (child molesters, rapists, murderers) this whole arguement would be over and you would all agree upon public executions!

The sex offender program isn’t shameful the only shame is the need for it.

I can’t believe there are so many idiots out there thinking that these guys should be running free. Even when they did do there time. Have you read some of these offenses these guys have done, how many programs/and treatments they have filled. If you want these pedophiles/rapists walking the streets, maybe you should hire them as your live-in babysitters/maids/and or nannys. Damn you guys are idiots.

This is the worst 3 percent of Minnesota’s sex offenders. These individuals have offended over and over and over again. Most of their records are beyond belief. That’s why there have been no releases. The very bottom of the barrel.

Fine, let them move next to you and THEN see how you feel.

Treating sex crimes differently from
other crimes is discrimination just
like discrimination against Jews,
blacks, and homosexuals and others.
Who on this earth has the power to know who will re-offend and who won’t.
Keeping people in the penal system
long after the sentence is a CRIME.