RI weighs involuntary commitment for sex predators

[The Straight Story]

RI weighs involuntary commitment for sex predators

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Faced with the impending release of a man convicted in the brutal slaying of a 5-year-old boy, Rhode Island lawmakers are considering new ways to keep violent sexual predators off the streets -- possibly for good.

Lawmakers reviewed legislation Wednesday to allow the state to hold sexual predators in a mental health facility for treatment once they've served their criminal sentence.

Some 20 states already have civil commitment laws on the books, despite criticism from some mental health professionals and civil liberties groups that question the cost, legality and value of such programs.

Lawmakers who support the legislation say Woodmansee's early release shows that such a law is worth it if it protects the public.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/04/06/ri_weighs_involuntary_commitment_for_sex_predators/

[Clovis Sangrail]

1. that should scare *everybody but it won't

Allowing the state to indefinitely extend the sentence for a crime (even a really nasty one) is a really really *bad idea.
People gobble this crap up based on the "think of the children" argument without realizing that they've effectively enabled the state to disappear people.
Hardly anybody says boo because they're afraid people will take it as defending pedophiles.
In Ca I remember a proposed cigarette tax (which passed) where one of the main proponents very candidly said "we know we can get this passed because nobody likes smokers"


Make sentences stiffer - an end run around the validity of sentences screws us all.

[Dogtown]

2. Agree completely. n/t

[MattBaggins]

3. Just like seizing property from "drug" dealers

Who really gives a damn about due process if we really hate a certain group.

We need to update a famous saying: When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag, carrying a cross and screaming "it's for the children".

[msanthrope]

4. Mr. Woodmansee holds the key to his release--when he is no longer a danger to himself and others,

he may be freed from his civil commitment...

When he no longer exhibits a propensity to rape, murder, and eat 5 year-olds he can rejoin society.