GPS poor idea
Ankle bracelets for all sex offenders is a very poor idea, even though it may seem feasible if you do not know the facts. It is a myth that all sex offenders re-offend, as shown by every study ever done on the subject. In fact, very few re-offend. A 2003 National Justice System study of 3,000 sex offenders who were re-arrested in five years, released in 1994, disclosed that only about 5% of all convicted sex offenders were re-arrested. Of those, many were arrested for other crimes. That means that less than 5% of sex offenders re-offend, contrary to public belief.
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That same study estimated that about 10% of people on the SOR are innocent. Juveniles DO lie about sex abuse and anyone can be a victim of a false allegation of sex abuse. Imagine what it would be like to be on the SOR, wearing an ankle bracelet, if you were innocent.
Real sexual predators will not let an ankle bracelet stop them. Criminal electronics experts will find ways to incapacitate the bracelets.
When you are on the SOR, it is very difficult to find a job or housing. This promotes crime. Now, Pennsylvania is proposing that the offenders pay for their own ankle bracelets, as well. Most of these people cannot afford that.
The solution: Offer men who were found irrefutably guilty twice, with solid exculpatory evidence, surgical castration or life in prison. If they were to choose surgical castration, they would receive a few months of counseling, and be released in a reasonable length of time. (Murderers would still get life in prison.) Surgically castrated men do not have sexual desires. They may commit other crimes, but not sex crimes.
Elaine Lehman
Washington Township
