The sex-offender registry can be a life sentence

Post by squozzer » Tue, Mar 21, 2017, 8:43 PM UTC

mabbo wrote: post #61

buro9 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is bigger and deeper than just that. I've even seen comments on here regarding immigration that simply said if someone has ever been arrested then they shouldn't be allowed into the USA. (No qualifying statements on recency or severity, or even acquittal.) With regards to crime (including the mere accusation of sexual things) the sentiment of the USA runs counter to the aspiration and promise of social mobility of…

I've heard it said that much of it goes back to the Calvinists roots of American culture. The idea that there are good people and bad people, that you are one or the other. Bad people deserve to go to prison, and therefore people in prison are all bad people. Why should any mercy by shown to bad people? Why should good people have to pay to help bad people? That sounds immoral. By the same set of rules, good people d…

Post by pluma » Wed, Mar 22, 2017, 9:38 AM UTC

lucideer wrote: post #11

pluma wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if prisons did more than just house inmates The problem is that the US system in particular is obsessed with punishment alone. Yes, sure, sometimes the punishment is justified as a learning experience but it's entirely based on the idea that punishment alone is sufficient to teach and act as a deterrent to others. Considering mental health (especially for the poor) is fairly neglected as a public health issue in th…

> highest incarceration rate in the "free world" 2nd highest in the world full stop is a starker figure (behind Seychelles which has a population <10k)

Post by Chris2048 » Wed, Mar 22, 2017, 11:43 AM UTC

kobeya wrote: post #14

I have a friend who plead guilty to two statuary rape charges that were false accusations, serving more time with parole than the maximum sentencing of the one charge he was guilty of, solely because the prosecution would drop the request for sex-offender registration, which would have done him permanent harm. There are some real predators out there, and I understand the threats that make something like a registry ne…

Post by soulnothing » Tue, Mar 28, 2017, 4:42 PM UTC

Chris2048 wrote: post #124

soulnothing wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One anecdotal story I have. I was riding home on the bus in Wilmington. A guy interrupts me asking for some cash. I get to talking asking what it's for and such. Found out he had just gotten out of jail for a possession charge. The guy was living with his Sister and looking for a job. But due to the charge no one would hire him. I remember him being shook up over being denied a janitor job at Bob Evans. I took him fo…

What is a misdemeanor DUI? I'll be honest with you, I think some people underestimate how terrible it is; You could have a history of beating up your spouse and be less likely to kill someone..