Sex Offenders in the Community

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the problems associated with the reintegration of the sexual offender into society.

From the Paper:

"Society is much concerned with how to handle the habitual sex offender and how to re-integrate the offender into society. This has become a major issue and one of vital interest in a society where so many children are molested or killed by sex offenders, where more offenses against children are being reported in the media, and as it has become clear that treatment options are limited. The problem has only been exacerbated by media reports of children killed by a sex offender who has been released from prison at the end of his sentence or on parole who then takes and kills another victim. The British legal system has looked to the American response to these issues for models for such possible solutions as community notification when a sex offender is to be released into that community. Under the American model, various states have imposed new laws and restrictions on sex offenders, one of which involves notification, or whether the neighbors of a released sex offender should be told that the offender is in their midst. Traditionally, parole or release from prison has been a matter kept between the offender and his or her parole officer and the state, and the people in the community are not told where released sex offenders are living. The notoriety of some recent cases has produced a change in attitude, with the public now demanding to be told when a sex offender is living in the community. Arguments have been offered on both sides, and the issue has to be seen finally as one of balance. No one can know that a sex offender will or will not commit another offense, but members of the community want to take extra precautions to protect their children when they know an offender is nearby. The issue is a balance of rights, the rights of the released person against the rights of potential victims. The decision has to be made on this basis. Whether a state has notification or not, the question remains as to where to put the offender and now to help him fit into society once more. A similar law has been proposed for Great Britain, leading to some of the same concerns and objections."

More papers on Sex Offenders in the Community:

• Argumentative Essay # 17012 : "The Seclusion of Sex Offenders is Not an Isolated Issue"
• Research Paper # 128547 : "Protecting the Community from Sex Offenders"
• Term Paper # 114095 : "Sex Offender Registration Act: Policy Analysis"

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