12 sex offenders kept in the slammer by Pataki

[DavidMn]

Ok, I was watching this story on tv today, and here's the best I can figure on this so far. 12 convicted sex offenders in New York were set to be released from prison recently, but governor Pataki asked the New York legislature to keep these individuals locked up based on advice from experts. The legislature would not act, citing the fact that these "People" had served their time and there was no legal precedent to keep them behind bars. Pataki didn;t care for their decision so he signed an executive order to force the sex offenders to be kept in a institution for life I think. WHat I gleaned from this was that the people that are pissed at the governor say that he has no right to keep these creeps locked up after they have served their time. Here's the way I see it. These guys are all PROVEN CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS, so I think that keeping them locked up until they can at least get a fair hearing to see whether what the governor did was ethical is better than turning them losse and hoping they dont hurt someone else. Someone please enlighten me.

[skcin]

No, after they were rleased from jail he ordered them into mental institutions & mandated treatment. Good for him, I say.

Doesn't matter, though, someone (NYS Senate? State supreme Court? I've no clue, too lazy to look it up) said he can't do that & they're being released into the public.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Ok, I was watching this story on tv today, and here's the best I can figure on this so far. 12 convicted sex offenders in New York were set to be released from prison recently, but governor Pataki asked the New York legislature to keep these individuals locked up based on advice from experts. The legislature would not act, citing the fact that these "People" had served their time and there was no legal precedent to keep them behind bars. Pataki didn;t care for their decision so he signed an executive order to force the sex offenders to be kept in a institution for life I think. WHat I gleaned from this was that the people that are pissed at the governor say that he has no right to keep these creeps locked up after they have served their time. Here's the way I see it. These guys are all PROVEN CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS, so I think that keeping them locked up until they can at least get a fair hearing to see whether what the governor did was ethical is better than turning them losse and hoping they dont hurt someone else. Someone please enlighten me.

Unfortunately for Mr. Pataki, New York is not a dictatorship - it's a state with laws. If he has a problem with the law that allows sex offenders to be released after they have served their sentences (and I certainly understand his concern), then he needs to work with his legislature and with the people of New York to change that law or create a new one. That's how democracy works.

These people have been convicted of their crimes and sentenced to terms in prison, which they all have served. It is now their right to go free and resume their lives as citizens.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Unfortunately for Mr. Pataki, New York is not a dictatorship - it's a state with laws. If he has a problem with the law that allows sex offenders to be released after they have served their sentences (and I certainly understand his concern), then he needs to work with his legislature and with the people of New York to change that law or create a new one. That's how democracy works.

These people have been convicted of their crimes and sentenced to terms in prison, which they all have served. It is now their right to go free and resume their lives as citizens.

Well, the law is the law I guess. But I think practically these people are dangerous. Hopefully they have been rehabilitated.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Well, the law is the law I guess. But I think practically these people are dangerous.

They very well may be, but that still doesn't make it right for Pataki to completely abandon the rule of law and hand down some fiat just because he thinks he knows best. And I realize he's been trying to get these laws changed for years without success, which is unfortunate. And it may very well take one of these released sex offenders committing a serious to get the legislature to change the law, which is even more unfortunate.

But the good and bad thing about the law is that it applies to everyone (or at least it's supposed to). Making exceptions like this would set a very dangerous precedent. We already had a close call with "activist governors" this year with ol' Jeb trying to plug Terry Schiavo back in.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

They very well may be, but that still doesn't make it right for Pataki to completely abandon the rule of law and hand down some fiat just because he thinks he knows best. And I realize he's been trying to get these laws changed for years without success, which is unfortunate. And it may very well take one of these released sex offenders committing a serious to get the legislature to change the law, which is even more unfortunate.

But the good and bad thing about the law is that it applies to everyone (or at least it's supposed to). Making exceptions like this would set a very dangerous precedent. We already had a close call with "activist governors" this year with ol' Jeb trying to plug Terry Schiavo back in.

No youre very right. I just wish there was a way to reasonably handle this. I think the worst thing would be for one of these creeps to go out and hurt someone else.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Hopefully they have been rehabilitated.

Almost, if not completely, impossible.

ITA with you JYQM. While he has the right idea, the law is the law & he is not above it. Unfortunately, in this case.

[DavidMn]

I have an idea. Is there a way they can keep really close tabs on these guys besides the sex offender notification program so that if one of these guys even gets a hard-on, they'll be cops all over them like stink on ****?

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I have an idea. Is there a way they can keep really close tabs on these guys besides the sex offender notification program so that if one of these guys even gets a hard-on, they'll be cops all over them like stink on ****?

Absolutely not, what right would they have to do that? When these men were convicted of their crimes, they were setenced to a term in prison and a lifetime of notifying their neighbors that they're perverts. That was their punishment. Done. Set in stone. You can't go ex post facto on them and start making up new rules to keep them in line.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Absolutely not, what right would they have to do that? When these men were convicted of their crimes, they were setenced to a term in prison and a lifetime of notifying their neighbors that they're perverts. That was their punishment. Done. Set in stone. You can't go ex post facto on them and start making up new rules to keep them in line.

Well, then the sex offender notification program will have to do its job. I dont mean to be ignorant here, I'm just trying to figure out a practical way to keep the public safe. Too bad this isnt an ideal world, but youre absolutely right when you talk about the law having to be followed.

[skcin]

^ Not really. I mean, they have to check in with authority(depending on their level of offense) but other than that, they're still out & about in the general public. They can't live near schools & some can be arrested if they are found near kids, but the cops can't watch them 24/7.

I used to work with teenage psych patients, many of whom were sex offenders. Short of castration (chemical) they will never lose the urge to abuse. In my experience.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Well, then the sex offender notification program will have to do its job. I dont mean to be ignorant here, I'm just trying to figure out a practical way to keep the public safe. Too bad this isnt an ideal world, but youre absolutely right when you talk about the law having to be followed.

As the line goes, democracy is really a terrible form of government. But it's the best one we've got.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

As the line goes, democracy is really a terrible form of government. But it's the best one we've got.

Fair enough. Well said.