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The Heat Is On: Vermont State's Sex Offender Laws
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by Rhonda J Mangus | July 8, 2008 at 11:07 pm
2549 views | 16 Recommendations | 20 comments
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UPDATE: 08/07/08 10:25 pm EST
A host of reforms to Vermont's Sex Offender Laws were introduced at a press conference yesterday by Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell and 13 (out of 14) county prosecutors.
A primary goal is to expand the Sexual Offense Investigative Units (SIU) to all of Vermont. The proposals also include: allowing prior sex crimes into evidence, eliminating pre-trial depositions of sex offense victims, increasing supervision of sex offenders through electronic monitoring and polygraphs.
There is still division among prosecutors related to Jessica's Law, a proposal introduced by Governor James Douglas that carries a 25 year minimum sentence for sex offenses against children.
Read full story here: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS04/808070391/1004/NEWS03
UPDATE: 07/16/08 10:50 pm EST
Vermont's Lt. Governor, Brian Dubie, is calling on Vermont's Governor, Jim Douglas, to hold a legislative session 30 days from the 14th day of July, 2008, to pass reforms on Vermont's sex offender laws.
Included in the reforms are chemical castration of repeat offenders and the adoption of Jessica's Law. Dubie is also asking Vermont residents to sign a petition requiring tougher laws for sex offenders.
Read July 14, 2008, Press Release, Office of Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, here: http://ltgov.vermont.gov/press_releases
In light of the recent death of 12 year-old Brooke Bennett of Braintree, Vermont, Vermont's Governor, Jim Douglas, has requested, among other things, an examination of Vermont's Sex Offender Treatment Program.
Gov. Jim Douglas has asked the Corrections Department to look at whether any changes need to be made to the state’s nationally recognized sex offender treatment program. He said he also plans to renew the push for two bills related to sex offenders that failed in the Legislature previously.The calls come in response to last week’s arrest of Brooke’s uncle, Michael Jacques, 42, of Randolph, a convicted sex offender. Jacques had gone through the sex offender treatment program after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping in 1993.
“I think it’s incumbent upon us, given this tragedy, to step back and see what we can learn from this,” Corrections Commissioner Rob Hofmann said Monday.
While the focus will be on the sex offender treatment, Hofmann said the review of the case will also look at how the department handled the termination of Jacques’ probation. At Jacques’ request, a judge terminated his probation in 2006, citing the probation officer’s comments that Jacques had been a “probation success story.” Hofmann said it appears the officer was indicating that Jacques had complied with the conditions of his probation, but that the department officially opposed termination of his probation because of the severity of the crime.
Douglas said he will also make a new push for a civil confinement law that would allow the state to keep untreated sex offenders locked up beyond their sentences and for changes to the state’s sex offender registry to make more information accessible to the public.
Others are pushing for Jessica's Law, rejected by Vermont's Legislature "...over concerns that a hefty minimum sentence [25 years] would force prosecutors to agree more often to lesser charges."
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
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Recommendations (16)
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at 04:37 on July 9th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:13 on July 9th, 2008
Barry, thanks for the Flag!
at 06:01 on July 9th, 2008
Ifcastro, thanks for the Flag!
at 06:07 on July 9th, 2008
Ifcastro, your comments are deeply appreciated! Thank you!
at 06:51 on July 9th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, very good stuff. I'm appalled at how many rapists and child predators are given light sentences, no real jail time, or if they serve jail time, are released early and turned loose again to hide back into society.
at 07:01 on July 9th, 2008
PEP, thank you for reading and for the Flag! I am confident that we are about to see some serious changes to the laws!
at 13:16 on July 10th, 2008
To Jim Douglas,
Jacques went though the program for sex offenders.
So please cross that off your list.
Pass Jessica's Law, 25 to life.
Grace A. Adams
l A Central Ave.
Rutland, Vt. 05701
gracenumberone@Yahoo.com
at 09:50 on July 13th, 2008
Recent Louisiana laws increased penalties for sex offenders. Welcomed by LA citizens.
at 22:42 on July 13th, 2008
Hi Rene! Yes, it is my understanding that Louisiana enacted Jessica's Law. It is also one of five states that still allows for the death penalty if the child is younger than 12 years of age. Patrick Kennedy is the only person now on Louisiana's Death Row for child rape that did not end in murder. Kennedy has an Appeal before the US Supreme Court - claiming that the Death Penalty here is unconstitutional. I do not know if the court has rendered a decision on his Appeal. Nevertheless, there is a good article on Rep. Winner's efforts (Utah) to increase penalties for sex offenders. The article also references Patrick Kennedy, here: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_9591336
I still have grave concerns that controversy over the 25 year minimum sentence will over-shadow the fact that sexual predators are being released back into society even though they may face homelessness, or claim homelessness, and thereby are not required to provide an address to a state's Sex Offender Registry. In my mind, this needs to be addressed first and foremost. It's a dangerous practice that must not be allowed to continue.
at 22:43 on July 13th, 2008
I just added the link! Sorry!
at 19:07 on July 16th, 2008
I am having difficulty establishing the link for the update. The web site does not seem to be available at the moment. Thanks for your patience.
at 19:20 on July 16th, 2008
Since I have not been able to establish the link to 3WCAX-TV NEWS, I thought it best to direct readers to the Lt. Governor's homepage. Thanks again for your patience!
at 14:33 on July 18th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:23 on July 18th, 2008
Thank you, jaydeepmensa!
at 02:28 on August 8th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 03:49 on August 8th, 2008
Thank you for the Flag, Paschen! It looks like progress is being made, a good thing!
at 23:33 on August 18th, 2008
so i went through 5 years of treatment,and a wish that i could live my life without any more bullshit from anyone else,to end up here,I AM SORRY FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE!!!I PAID 45 DOLLARS A WEEK TO GO TO CLASS TO UNDERSTAND WHY I DO THE THINGS I DO AND TO BE AWARE OF BAD SITUATIONS!,I DIDN'T RAPE ANYONE BUT I RAPED MY FRIENDS KID BY TRYING TO TOUCH HER,TO NO AVAIL,I WENT THROUGH ALOT,EMOTIONALLY,PHYSICALLY,SHE WENT THROUGH MORE!!!!I SHOULD NOT BE SAYING [I],BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME!!!,THIS IS ABOUT MY VICTIM!!!,DO YOU ALL THINK THAT SHE NEEDS TO BE REMINDED OF WHAT HAPPENED???NO!.
RUTLAND CITY VOTED FOR A 1000 FOOT BARRIER FROM SCHOOLS OR DAYCARES FOR SEX OFFENDERS,THAT LEAVES 4 HOUSES IN RUTLAND FOR SEX OFFENDERS,PROBATION AND PAROLE NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THESE OFFENDERS,HOW CAN THEY DO THAT IF THE OFFENDERS AREN'T IN THE CITY?.
WE WILL JUST END UP WITH MORE BROOKE BENNETTS,OUT IN THE BOONIES,WHERE PEOPLE CANNOT BE MONITORED.
CAN YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT,KNOWING THAT???MAYOR CHRIS LOURAS,CAN!!!
at 23:50 on August 18th, 2008
some of us that REALLY care,don't want OUR names dragged through the papers,AGAIN,for OUR VICTIMS SAKE.
we don't need to further VICTIMIZE THEM .
WHILE YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR THE NEXT BROOKE BENNETT,WHY DON'T YOU CONSIDER THE FEELINGS OF THE PREVIOUS VICTIMS,[WHAT WORKED FOR THEM??,WHAT DID THEY WANT TO HAPPEN???]
YOU ARE WORKING [FOR] THE VICTIM,BUT [NONE]OF YOU ARE WORKING[WITH]THE VICTIM.ASK THEM!!!
at 22:31 on January 19th, 2009
Please allow me to introduce myself with 30+yrs. in the mental health field, what we were taught at the Brattleboro Retreat, VSH, and a priviate one-on-one with a troubled 4 yr. old male until he was age 13. Subjects that were taught by very qualified individuals. We deserve to have information as the St. of Vt. works on this subject. making decisions at this date + time. My own opinion is best situation for offenders. We were taught years ago that this diagnosis is "highly untreatable, + no one can be considered cured". Repeat offenders should have specific incarceration for the remainder of their lives, That vacant portions at the old Vt. St. Hospital as the perfect place, with offenders taking part in this restoration creating a lifetime home for themselves.) A yard that's built such as Spfld., Vt., 3 highly qualified, 24/7 Supervisors. Repeaters would be kept away from society, and in return society will never fear that they will have concerns that these individuals living next door, major relief that their children are SAFE.
My birth name is not used here as I happen to be a survivor myself with 3 years; age 7,8,+9. Victoms don't always have their painful experience to filter, therapy, lots of support right away, I had repressed until age 49 when someone passed away that should have been on the "watch". Thanking for taking the time if you've read MY STORY.
at 10:34 on January 20th, 2009
P. K. Haleevah (not verified), thank you for sharing your story. Your statement that, "We were taught years ago that this diagnosis is "highly untreatable, + no one can be considered cured". is similar to what I have been saying all along -- "Pedophiles can not be rehabilitated." Until people, including politicians, fully understand this fact, I am afraid children will continue to fall victim to the hands of pedophiles, and with devastating consequence.