This has been a highly debated topic in my area lately and probably in a lot of other places also. The laws and many people are all for giving criminals who have served their time a chance to reintegrate into society. But many of the same people who are in favor of reintegration are only for it when the person doesn't live by them.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/apr05/318523.asp
Changes sought to sexual predator law
Let offenders go to other counties, supervisors say
By DAVE UMHOEFER
dumhoefer@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 14, 2005
Milwaukee County officials want changes in state law that would remove a requirement that released sexual predators be returned to their original county of residence as they reintegrate into society after serving prison terms.
The state should look statewide for the most appropriate location for sexually violent people, keeping in mind the population density of the surrounding community, a resolution endorsed Thursday says.
The advice, approved 6-1 by the County Board's Judiciary, Safety and General Services Committee, comes after a state-appointed panel failed to find a Milwaukee County site for a halfway house for habitual sex offenders whose post-release existence is determined by the state's Chapter 980 law.
Vehement public opposition caused the withdrawal of six possible sites from consideration by the state committee, leaving the issue in limbo. The last two - on county-owned land in Franklin and Milwaukee - were nixed last week.
Supervisors at Thursday's judiciary committee meeting said they did not want to rule out all potential Milwaukee County sites with their new resolution.
"We are not drawing a line in the sand," said Supervisor Joseph Rice, lead sponsor of the resolution.
But Rice and others made it clear that they wanted changes in the state law before they would consider selling Milwaukee County land for such a halfway house.
Supervisors also want the state to provide sufficient funds to ensure that counties will not be responsible for any costs of supervision and treatment of such offenders.
The resolution also urges the Legislature and Gov. Jim Doyle to give the state search committee "necessary resources to carry out its mission."
Milwaukee County is the only county in Wisconsin unable to find housing for returning offenders, so the state is proposing a larger facility that would hold about a dozen individuals.
The county resolution suggests that Wisconsin corrections officials consider following the lead of other states that use or are considering using global positioning satellite technology to track the exact location of such predators "during and after their transition into the community."
The County Board "supports the use of the most advanced technology available for the purpose of protecting, treating, deterring and tracking sexually violent persons and Chapter 980 releases . . . ," the resolution states.
Supervisor Lynne DeBruin voted against the resolution, stating that the county should send a stronger signal for the need for changes in Chapter 980.
Other supervisors said they wanted to be careful not to take too confrontational a stance with state officials.
Under Chapter 980, habitual sex offenders may be held for mental health treatment after serving their prison terms. But state and federal courts have made it clear that such laws risk being found unconstitutional if they do not include a provision for eventual release.
If courts threw out Chapter 980, predators could be released directly into the community after finishing their prison sentences, law enforcement officials have noted.
The question is, where should released sex offenders go? If they are put into a city, there are more possible victims and it may be easier to blend in. If they live in a country setting, there are fewer victims but also fewer people to keep an eye on their activities. There have been so many stories lately of sex offenders committing their 2nd or 3rd offense that sometimes I wonder if reintegration is even possible.
I guess I don't have an answer for this myself. I'm torn between doing what is right as a parent and the rights of the person who has served their time to reenter society.
Anyone have any good ideas?
Also, if anyone wants to read about Chapter 980, it can be found
here.