33 replies to this topic

[mylo]

Mylo,

How about this. Before we create any new laws, let's ensure that violent criminals are locked up for the entirety of their sentences instead of being freed from prison to make room for non-violent drug offenders.

There's probably a greater than 50% chance that this guy has been arrested previously and let go without serving his entire sentence.

Unfortunately, that comes with cost too. I'm all for castration (even chemical) for sex offenders. It has a proven much lower recidivism rate and comparatively very low cost.

[bordercolliefan]

Even though I'm a liberal and am generally in favor of rehabilitation, vocational training, etc. for criminals, I make an exception for sex offenders. I believe the research is extremely clear that the vast majority of them can never be reformed, and the recidivism rate is huge.

Maybe some day we will figure out how to "cure" people with these violent and/or perverted sexual tendencies. Until then, I believe we have no choice but to lock them up for life (or perhaps offer them the option of chemical castration -- IF the scientific evidence bears out that this is a viable solution).

[Chad Vander Veen]

Even though I'm a liberal and am generally in favor of rehabilitation, vocational training, etc. for criminals, I make an exception for sex offenders.  I believe the research is extremely clear that the vast majority of them can never be reformed, and the recidivism rate is huge. 

Maybe some day we will figure out how to "cure" people with these violent and/or perverted sexual tendencies.  Until then, I believe we have no choice but to lock them up for life (or perhaps offer them the option of chemical castration -- IF the scientific evidence bears out that this is a viable solution).

I think we, as a town, ought to enter into some kind of agreement that should any of us aprehend this evil person, that we may dispose of him by the method of our chosing and suffer no ill-consequences.

[vonilei]

Oh man, here we go with the paranoia. Simply teaching kids to avoid strangers ain't gonna work. You need to teach them what to do in situations like this. Unfortuantely, irresponisble parenting, such as leaving a 14 y.o. and a 9 y.o. home alone, is not very conducive to teaching children important life skills.

I remember having babysitting jobs when I was 11 and 12. And I did a pretty darn good job of it too...

I believe it depends on the child. Some are raised to be more responsible than others. Some 12-14 year olds are perfectly capable of 'being in charge' and some are not. You just have to know your kids.