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No Megan's law for UK - 4/10/2007 2:28:43 PM

LadyEllen

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From: Stourport-England
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The British Home Office has announced that following a lengthy study, the UK will not be implementing a Megan's Law for the country.

The fear is, that its introduction would result in prejudicial treatment, up to and including violence from vigilante groups, towards ex offenders, and that this might induce them to disappear and thus become impossible to trace and keep under control by the authorities - notwithstanding significant evidence that the authorities have little idea what these people are doing and where they are, even when on parole prior to full release, as shown by a recent TV documentary.

I dont want to get into the anger and disgust and feelings of retribution most have regarding these offenders and their offences, but to ask our American friends (yes, you too Ferryman!), what their experience of the law in the US is, and to ask whether it has it resulted in vigilante attacks etc on offenders known to their local community?

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RE: No Megan's law for UK - 4/10/2007 2:50:46 PM

seeksfemslave

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I found a website that identifies such people. Posts photo's and appartment numbers, the lot.

It is a very difficult problem with no easy answers.
Long prison sentences might work. We would all know their address then.

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RE: No Megan's law for UK - 4/10/2007 2:51:27 PM

cyberdude611

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You are better off without it. It hasnt done jack crap to stop sex offenders in the US.

In the state of Maine a few years ago, the state had to take the list offline because a few vigilantes decided they wanted to take the law in their own hands.

Enforcement of the rules is the major problem with it. There just isnt enough resources to ensure that the list is up to date. It relies on the offenders to submit address changes and there is no follow-up. According to the FBI, there are over 400,000 convicted sex offenders in the US. There isnt enough manpower to keep tabs on them all.

In my opinion, the system would be much more effective if they narrowed the criteria down. Not everyone on the list is a serious threat. In some instances, the minor was 16 or 17 and the offeder was like 19 or 20. Those people should not be on the list. I think it should only be people that are serious risks, repeat offenders, or the child was under age 13 or something like that.

The government knows Megan's Law doesnt work. But they have to keep funding it because they have to make it appear to the population as though the government is doing something. Megan's Law also does nothing to protect little Johnny from evil Uncle Joe. 80% of sexual offenses against children is committed by someone in the child's own family.

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RE: No Megan's law for UK - 4/10/2007 3:17:34 PM

LadyEllen

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From: Stourport-England
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Thanks Cyberdude - that is really interesting, in that it appears then that its more of a government PR thing than any effective policy thats pursued as it should be? (we have the same lack of control over procedures here).

I'd also agree that the criteria should be narrowed, though best not to get into that in case the thread starts going down the wrong route, which would be a shame to risk given that I feel this whole question of how the law works in the US is important for our UK purposes.

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RE: No Megan's law for UK - 4/10/2007 7:02:09 PM

soultoshare

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cyberdude is correct.....the agencies involved just to keep the lists up to date are unable to keep up with it. The offender just moves, fails to register, doesn't show up, whatever the circumstances are, and the states are limited in what they can do. The first step is suspending their driver's license, big deal! Then they MIGHT put a warrant out on the subject. But the resources to go out and actively look for and arrest the violators are just not available. Until said subject is stopped, he's out there pursuing his predatory ways. And what's scarier is the number of illegal immigrants who come here to prey on our children. It seems that anytime you hear about a child getting accosted, grabbed or actually taken, it's an illegal alien. It's on the news quite a bit here.

I myself haven't heard many stories concerning someone taking the law into their own hands using the sex offender lists, nor have I seen it while working with the police agencies. Yes, it's going to happen, that is the nature of the human beast. Each instance is dealt with by the police and courts, but I myself would have a very difficult time of convicting someone who took the law into their own hands if they are the parent of the child the scum molested, or worse. If it's a random vigilante situation, then yes, I could convict....vigilante justice has no place in society.

m

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