So yesterday I read an article from the New York times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/us/04civil.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin) about program which keeps convicted sex offenders conined past their sentences. The purpose is supposed to be to treat this people and try to cure them, however, thus far, it seems quite ineffective. For example, the article says that some of these people are past the age in whicht heir considered to be a serious threat (for example, a 102 year old man with memory problem who is part of these "treatments") and sometimes the more violent and concerning rapists are passed over for the program.
No matter who has to participte though, my question is, is such a program, or treatment, or whatever suitable term neccesarily right? The article seemed to focus on the taxpayers money, and how much it costs to run facilities liek these, btu hardly mentions if it is moral. Don't get me wrong, I think rapists and pedophiles should be given whatever treatment is possible for them, if whatever is wrong with them si in fact curable. I'm very for trying to make the world safer. There is a lingering question in my mind though. These people ave already served out a sentence for their crimes. What if they have already chagned? What if they've already been cured. If placed in one fo these programs would any already changed people in a way be punished twice? The article mentioned that somtimes at these facilities people are made to recoutn their crimes, even ones they weren't tried for. What if this causes people in that situation who are honestly tryign to chagne to convert back to their former ways?
I'm not trying to claim this is a bad idea. I do believe that sex offenders should be punished for the horrible things they've done and I think its actually a very good idea to try to counsel and i guess "save" these covnicted sex offenders. The article does, however, seem to mention that the success rate of these treatment programs isn't very high and that they do not seem to be very effective. I'm not going to pretend I really know anything about psychology or the criminal mind, because I don't, but I do think these people need some kind of help, I just don't know if this is neccessarily the right way. Is it right to confine people past their sentences? Please don't think that I'm against the punishment of these criminals in wany way. I'm just posing a question. What is your opinion?
The article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/us/04civil.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Most do not...the sentencing for these criminals must be updated and their jail terms lengthened.
CommunityWatch.org ...focusing on the evolution and awareness of State Sex Offender Registries in the United States.
that is a very valid point, thanks for pointing it out. i hadn't thought of it
I think that though it may not be working right now, and it may seem like a waste at first, we need to at least give it a chance. The program is in its infancy, and they are still trying to develop it. Something needs to be done about the massive amount of sexual offenders, we have to start somewhere.