New Future for Sex Offenders

A new system is established in Texas on the classifications of registered sex offenders.

The Austin American Statesman recently reported on the change to the registered sex offender classification system. Though it won't make a difference to the already registered ones that have previously released from prison, but the ones who in the future will be released. The new system will determine the level of risk the sex offender brings to society. This rating is based on several tests with a point scaled based on "factors such as age, marital status, previous offenses and the sex of the victim".

The new system only will be applied to the sex offenders who are being released now. The over 45,000 already registered sex offenders will not be reexamined. It doesn't seem fair to place a stricter set of rules now and let those in the past slide. The new testing system is supposed to more properly rank some one as "low risk" or "high risk", but those already classified as a high risk to society now could be a low risk by the new testing strategy.

State Representative, Jerry Madden, a Republican from Richardson is pleased with the new test. He says he "is getting the people [he] wants to get with it: the people being released now".
There is no research yet to show if the testing is even vaild.

The main purpose of these tests is to determine which sex offenders may need supervision and those who are likely to commit another sexual offense or crime. Where is the supervision for those who have already passed through the system? Sure there name is on a list already and easily located through the help of the internet, but are they currently being supervised. Are those coming out as "high risk" now going to be more closely watched than the "high risk" sex offenders of the already 45,000 living in the state.

To view the full article: Texas to change sex offender classification