Homeless Sex offenders are the greater risk
Below is an excerpt from an article in The Press Democrat, which states something we already know:
“Our initial concern with Jessica’s Law was that while it placed harsher sentences on sex offenders, including requiring them to be registered for life, it would not necessarily increase safety. And the numbers are showing exactly that.
Homeless registered sex offenders are a far greater risk than those who have been able to transition back into community life, find stable homes and jobs near family connections. This was shown in a study last year by the California Justice Department that found that transient offenders were several times more likely to commit new sex crimes. Homeless sex offenders who are still on parole account for one-third of all new sex arrests although, for the time being, they only account for roughly 6 percent of registered California sex offenders.”
By creating housing instability and imposing restrictions that are so onerous complying with them consumes every ounce of effort and resources one has, they place people in a situation that fosters recidivism.
Another story out of Los Angeles this past weekend, cites statistics and presents some measures the State of California is considering to counteract the problem.
“The board is planning a $25,000 study through San Jose State University to try to figure out why the number remains high. Meantime, the Legislature is considering ending California’s requirement that all sex offenders register for life. Proponents believe that makes it harder for offenders to get jobs and stay off the streets.
That was a sentiment state Supreme Court justices cited in overturning a component of Jessica’s Law that banned sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet (610 meters) of schools, parks and other places where children gather. That requirement effectively blocked them from living in most parts of major California cities
The justices agreed with experts who said stable homes, jobs and family ties are important to deter new crimes. Moreover, the court found that when offenders lack permanent homes, it’s tougher for law enforcement officers to track their locations and activities.
A 2016 study by U.S. and Canadian researchers and California’s Justice Department found offenders who are transient were several times more likely to commit new sex crimes. Only about 6 percent of registered California sex offenders have no permanent address, but that group accounts for 19 percent of new sex crime arrests among those on probation and one-third among those on parole.”
I was blessed with a loving compassionate family who took me in while I was on parole, otherwise I too would have been homeless. I am of the small percentage of sex offenders who was able to gain fruitful full time employment. The same company that I worked for before my arrest and conviction hired me knowing the nature of my offense and what I was found guilty of by a trial. This company has bent rules to be sure that I was in compliance with Sora. I am grateful and blessed to be judged as the person I am and not judged simply because of the nature of my offense. However, having said that , I was almost forced to remove myself from a job capacity because of the 1500 ft law . I was able to work within the 1500 ft law while the “daycare” was open, but I couldn’t sleep at the work site when the ” daycare” was closed at night. How can this be? If I can be in that 1500 ft zone during occupation hours, but not be in that same 1500 ft zone when no one occupied the same “daycare facility”… who then is the law protecting from my “re – offending?
Enough is enough,being serving your time and paying your debt to society for a sex offence should be the end of anybody’s ordeal with the law. A person with a sex conviction is in title to a normal life as any other citizen of this country guaranteed and protected by the constitution,the constitution that deferanciate us in the U.S. from the Nazi Germany.
I am deeply concerned about the ” sex offenders” , who by now must number in the hundreds that are left newly homeless in the wake of the flooding in Texas. I have to wonder where will they seek safety and shelter if most shelters won’t allow them to even seek food or water..let alone a safe place to sleep…