How Far Should The Law Go For Pedophiles ?. .. . Banishment ?. . . Exile ?. . Prison Hospitals ?

Question

Only a few years ago pedophiles were getting standard prison sentences . Now quite often they get added restrictions for example : 'Must not be within a 1000ft of a minor, school' etc . And the ball is still rolling in that direction , and still rolling. . . and rolling .

So How Far Should It Go ? First-time offender ? Repeat offender ?

Answer 1

This is a problem that is close to my heart. I fell victim to a pedophile at age 6. You cannot imagine the problems that creates for a child while growing up. For me at least, the problems of that encounter followed me well into adulthood. The anger and rage over the incident can be suppressed for decades, only to surface many years afterward.
Pedophiles alter a child's life forever. In my mind, the crime is as agregious as murder. I would have no problem with putting pedophiles to death on the first offense.
I guess after 50 years, the rage still burns.

Answer 2

First on a repeat offender I do not think the current sentencing and then registration and living restrictions work. I think for a multiple offender they should be locked up forever in some kind of federal institution so they can no harm children again, a two strike and you are out clause.
First time offender I think the sentencing needs to be longer and some rehab needs to be done but the release needs to be overseen by specifically trained psychological teams, if the teams believe their is any risk to the children of the nation then the sentence needs to be extended and the rehab intensified till there is a good chance they will not commit the offense again.

Answer 3

Added restrictions such as living so far from the school do what? It keeps them away from a large group of children. But I still have an email notice set up with the county sheriff's office so they can notify me anytime a convicted pedophile moves within the area. No idea what these people's current 'mental state' is since it is just a notice but can't tell you anything else and it is not to allow you to harass them.

So do I have to have my teen age daughter & son sit down, look at their picture, make sure that if they see this person don't go near them? I'm in Ohio and live in area that is like a small old-town downtown even though the entire area is more metropolitan. Everybody walks around downtown for pizza, to school, etc. Do I have to lock my kids up, provide a body guard, etc just because of this pedophile? It isn't just men, we have the women too.

You do the crime, you do the time and punishment should fit the crime.

Answer 4

This is a good question. It's a thorny subject. Let me tell you why.

When I was 15, I lost my virginity to a 21 year old. She was a friend of my sister's. Technically, she was a pedophile. As you can plainly imagine, I have absolutely NO complaints about it.

I think we need a different set of laws to deal with sex predators. A mandatory life sentence for people that mess with children that are under 12, for instance. But, we also need to take into account the child's testimony. Many times, the children aren't even allowed to testify. This happens mostly in cases that the D.A.'s office feels that the child's testimony will actually hurt the case. If the child participant was sexually mature and a willing party, there should be mitigated sentences.

If you find this notion disgusting, please remember that people used to marry at the age of 13 or 14 on a regular basis. Men could be drafted into the Army at age 14. Just because we state that kids aren't adults until 18 doesn't mean that they act like children until 18. There are many cases of rape and molestation that are heinous crimes. There are also cases that the 14 year old is the seducer or seductress. These are the facts of life, whether you approve or not. We don't need iron clad laws that brand every convict for life. We need a fair system that takes into account all the circumstances.

Answer 5

Would the death sentence be too much? Most would say yes, but I really wonder.

For a first time offender I think a 5 to 10 year prison sentence is not out of the question, For repeat offenders, life is the only option.

Answer 6

1- we should stop treating statatory rape offenders like pedophiles. many of these men ( and some women too) thought they were sleeping with adults. the teenagers were lying but the law doesn't judge based on intent.

2- countinuing with number one- we should stop labeling non-pedophiles as sex offenders for life. for instance:
one man grabbed a girl's arm after she ran infront of his car (wrong? yes) he is not a sex offender. but according to the law he is.
also, a 16 year old boy has his case overturned when he was charged as a sex offender for giving his friends porn.

3- I support chemical castration if it is volenteery. and if they really want to stay our of prison they will opt for it.

4- if doctors can prove them are 'cured' or for some reason will not reoffend they should serve their time, get out, and be able to start a life.
I read a case where the man had a clean record but raped a young child while high. he couldn't even remember doing so. as long as he gets clean and stays clean he will never rape again. he doesn't need life in prision, he needs to stay away from mind-altering drugs

4- I support life in prison for repeat offenders. I wish we could make a more productive facility for sex offenders only. basic jobs so they can make money and pay taxes. psyc treatment (especially if they have a chance for parole). and a bit less restriction than regular prison.

i also hope one day we stop executing and instead spend those millions of dollars to study these criminals (pedophiles, serial killers, ect) and find out what makes them this way so we can work on prevention.

Answer 7

Bruce J is not totally incorrect. We do need to look at each case. My nephew (18 at the time) was making out (fully clothed) with his 16 year old girlfriend--and were 'spotted' by an officer. (He had been dating her for over a year.) They arrested him and grilled her about 'what was going on'. Not every person 'of age' is a pervert. An old school mate just got out of prison because his daughter's best friend (16 or 17) crawled into bed with him (after he had been out drinking--no excuse but it does add to his lack of judgment) she had been staying over with his daughter. Uhm--yeah. She started blackmailing him--'come pick me up from school or I will tell......'--needless to say the man was an idiot, but SHE KNEW what she was doing. Now "Bob" is a registered sex offender for life.

However--anyone who touches a child under the age of 15 IMHO should go to Alcatraz--for life. No way to get near another child. Their families can visit--there is no need to punish their families for their crimes--but these are almost inevitably repeat offenders. We need to ensure they will NOT have that chance to repeat the offense. They make a conscience choice to rape a child. Despite a physical attraction--a man chooses NOT to rape his date. These putrid maggots MAKE THE CHOICE to rape. And those who murder their helpless little victims--deserve the needle within hours of their conviction.

Answer 8

Like I have said before, Simply publish their addresses and habits on the web and ask the local police to get the bluflu for a day or two in that neighborhood. Or if sent to prison, special prison colors and general population. This could be so easy to resolve with just these two simple suggestions.

Answer 9

They should go as far as they need to keep the Pedophiles away from our children!!

If one child is put at risk because they did not go quite far enough that is one child too many.

If you had a child that fell victim to a pedophile because they did not give the maximum sentence to because it was a first offense how do you think you would react?

Answer 10

How about making them serve their entire prison term instead of letting them out because of prison overcrowding due to all the non violent pot heads that haven't done any harm to anyone.

If they are still in prison they cannot be a repeat offender.