The lost count of sex offenders
To the editor.
Authorities appear to be powerless to control sex offenders once they are released from prison. The probation system requires sexual predators voluntarily report where they are living. It is too easy for them to move and disappear into society to commit the crime again putting other children at risk. There are more than 2,700 pedophiles, rapists and other sexual offenders who are already being held indefinitely, mostly in special treatment centers, under civil commitment programs in 19 states which, on average, costs taxpayers four times more than keeping the offenders in prison.
On Sept. 28, 2009 in South Austin, Texas, a 9-year-old girl went missing on her way to school. According to arrest reports, the suspect, Butcher, age 42, drove past the 9-year-old old girl twice before abducting her. The sex offender was charged with many types of charges, this wasn’t just one abduction. In 1991, Butcher was charged with a sexual assault while in the military in Korea.
There are many actions the government can take to protect younger children across the world.
One solution to this issue would be taking action when the predator gets out of jail, requiring them to get an ankle bracelet known as a GPS system. They then should have to be put on probation with the correct amount of time needed and allow the probation officers time to update their living status.
Paige Wright
Cape Coral