Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

California board saying sex offender residency restrictions not working

By Douglas A. Berman

The Los Angeles Times has this article, headlined "There's no evidence Jessica's Law works, California officials say," reporting on the apparent inefficacy of residency restrictions for sex offenders in California.  Here is how the article starts: A state panel is urging the governor and legislators to change "Jessica's Law," saying its restrictions on where sex offenders can live are counterproductive and calling the nearly $25 million a year spent to house them a poor use of taxpayers' money. The residency restrictions, passed by voters more than two years ago in Proposition 83, have never been shown to prevent new crimes and may reduce public safety, the panel says. Since 70% of voters approved the initiative, "the availability of suitable housing has plummeted," the state's Sex Offender Management Board said in a report sent to lawmakers this week...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on January 14, 2009 (boomark / email).