Very interesting study done by DOJ in 1994. It shows that only a small percentage of convicted child molesters are arrested after their release, but this is confounded by several factors. They may still be preying on children and not getting arrested, or they may still harbor predatory tendencies but lack opportunity or are otherwise thwarted somehow.

There does seem to be some psychological data that supports the idea that pedophilia is something that doesn't go away with treatment, that it persists throughout the life of the offender. This leads people to the belief that once a pedophile is identified, that he should be constrained forever from the opportunity to molest.

I for one believe that even first time offenders should do some very long, hard time in prison. This has led some to postulate that the fear of harsh punishment leads pedophiles to kill their victims in an attempt to reduce the threat of capture. I'm not sure if that is true or if it warrants reconsideration.

We also need to do a better job of monitoring once released.

We need to strengthen our laws and stiffen penalties, but one thing I'm against is indefinite sentences. In several states convicted molesters are being kept incarcerated after their sentences have been fulfilled. That's probably not consistent with American principles of justice.

I do know that the world is a very tough place, toughest especially on the smallest and weakest. Unfortunately we can't protect everyone all of the time, and even if we had all convicted offenders locked away for ever there would still be new offenders.

This is a serious problem anddemands careful attention, to do as much as we can, but do it right.

DOJ Recidivism Paper

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