texxasco

Well first off.... that quote, was taken from http://incestabuse.about.com/od/inth...xoffenders.htm , and while there are parts of that article I agree with, there are also parts I disagree with. You can call bullshit on the numbers, and to be honest I think
they are high as well, but you're missing the point. It was an unofficial study using imprisoned sex offenders. The point being that most sex offenders had more victims than what had been reported, which is one of the reasons the likelihood of them re-offending was higher than current data supported.

In my post I stated I didn't know all the answers, and I will stand by that statement. I do know that losing their right to vote, own a firearm, etc is a result of them being a convicted felon. I would agree that an exception could be made on the right to vote, and that right to vote being reinstated depending on their crime, and other factors... maybe. People want to talk about rehabilitation? That's really funny... In Texas prisons, the only rehabilitation that exists is the personal desire to change within the person who is convicted and sent to prison, and a small percentage that are sent to court ordered treatment. Even then, only those that want to change will, and I am sorry you disagree, but most don't give a shit. I believe that a small percentage of convicted felons are truly remorseful, and want to be rehabilitated, but the vast majority is only sorry about being caught and sent to prison. Every time my agency asks for more money to fund programs, etc they are shot down. You fault the government? How about the people around you? In Texas people have a get tough on crime attitude, and they feel that way right up to the point where a convicted person is sent to prison. They are all about it through the arrest, trial, and sentencing of an individual. The mentality is lock 'em up and throw away the key. Then there are people like you who actually believe people are rehabilitated in prison and cry foul when a convicted felon doesn't have the same freedoms he had as he did prior to going to prison, or when people are treated differently because they are ex-convicts. The problem lies with you, me, and every other person that has the right to vote. I maintain that a convicted felon should not have the same rights as a citizen who hasn't found him or herself in prison. I thought trust and respect was earned?

I agree that more needs to be done instead of locking people in cages. I have had a problem with that for years. I can only speak for Texas, because I have no experience with how other state do their thing, other than to read about it. Whether I like it or not I treat every offender with dignity, regardless of their crime. Behind bars, safety is my main goal. My safety and that of my coworkers, as well as the offenders that are locked up. I try to lead by example, and show that that by carrying themselves like men instead of animals, they will get a lot farther and have less problems. If I have an off day, and forget to shave before work (very, very rare - but it has happened) then that day I won't give any of them shit if they haven't shaved. I live and operate under the same standards I hold them to. I run into ex-offenders fairly often, and as of yet I have not had a bad experience. I don't say anything to them that I can't back up while they are in prison, or that I couldn't back up if I were to run into them on the street once they get out. But, they have to pay the price for their crime, not me.

Yes it is sad when kids are involved, and that sir is an understatement if I ever heard one. The person I described is a 38-year-old pedophile. Your post is typical of the mentality of the general public today. Let's get tough on them and send them to prison. And when they get out, let's let bygones be bygones and treat them like anybody else. What's missing? What about the kids? They are going to have to live with what was done to them for the rest of their lives. Can pedophiles be changed, the short answer is some can and a lot can't and won't. Should ex -offenders share the same rights as a person who lives right, does the right thing, and DOESN'T go to prison.... That answer to that is no. Not the way things are currently being run. Not without true rehabilitation, if that truly exists anywhere.

Well the man I described will indeed be on the street. In fact, in about 6 months he'll be released. If you would treat this person just like you would treat your grandfather, that's your choice man. This guy is hoping to run into people like you when he gets out. People who will treat him like he has never offended will give him every opportunity to do exactly the same thing when he gets out. People that will feel sorry for him will make it very easy for him to wind up back in prison.

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