Correcting misperceptions

Hi Kahuna,

> insure that you are raped every day in jail (they don't like us there)

I take one exception to your statement. I have spent some years in maximum security penitentiary (a child pornography charge in the Federal system means you are designated a "public safety hazard" and can only be housed in medium or high security facilities). Federal penetentiary is not the same as the common perception of "fed time"; my first week, the guy in the cell next to me got his head beaten off with a fire extinguisher. There was no difference from State pen.

Your statement, and that common belief among our community, leads to a lot of suicides pre-sentencing. It is not true and should not be propagated as it has real-life consequences for those who may be facing time. I am not saying committing crimes is acceptable or that prison isn't bad; on the contrary, it is not a pleasant experience. But it also isn't something to commit suicide over.

> and chased out of neighborhood after neighborhood when you get out

I have been subject to community notification after my conviction, and now in a different home everyone around me knows due to media exposure. The "sticks and stones" addage is very true; most people are not willing to cross the line into illegal vigilante action because you know where they live. I can take being yelled at, sometimes every day. "Words will never hurt me".

> with the constant possibility that you could have your
> house burned down and/or face grave bodily harm.

This again is possible, but unlikely. Law enforcement is divided on the issue; some see such action as a threat to the SOT laws and thus are diligent about preventing vigilante action against registered sex offenders. Some also don't think such action is right and are diligent for that reason. As to grave bodily harm, women in large cities face the same threat and many carry mace and take self-defense classes. That would seem a reasonable course of action for someone who doesn't have much experience in street fights.

And also ~ welcome to our new "nick" ;)

kevin