New SCOTUS Decision: Government can keep you in prison beyond your sentence

[frisbee]

The Supreme Court just came down with a decision that allows the federal government to keep a prisoner incarcerated beyond his/her completion of their sentence if they are determined to be a threat.

So, what do you think? Do you want to give the government the power to imprison you because it thinks you might commit a crime in the future? Or, on the other hand, are you glad that people like the sex offender in this case can be held in prison beyond their term.

Here's a link to the story

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05.../?hpt=T1&imw=Y

[Bryan James]

I have not read the Federal Law or the recent U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding Sexually Violent Predators.

By unwanted appointment, I litigated a similar matter in South Carolina. Defense. I researched hundredS of hours for the few (18, I think it was, not including jail visits) I got paid for.

Someone here thought that I should have my legs broken for doing the right thing by upholding The Constitution. Posted the same in a private forum. A friend came to my rescue and convinced the nefarious demon to abscond with his dastardly plans to have me hobbled.

This is some tough shi7, folks. An immense balancing act, and it could have some wide effects.

I'll read the Supreme's Opinion.

Maybe my legs get broke up. They will be powder eventually anyway.

[Terry B]

I agree with one of the commenters after the story - if the "powers that be" want a sexual offender to stay in prison then they should start handing out life sentences. Don't let someone serve his term then tell him "oops my bad".

[GNTLGNT]

As many of you know-I'm employed in a state correctional facility, so my views may be somewhat distorted by the lens that I look through daily...however, I do feel that if an inmate has served his time-then release him. Those of us in corrections don't feel they should be kept past their EDS(End Of Definite Sentence)dates, because they "might" do something bad-we just know that a large percentage of them WILL leave and re-offend, becoming another "boomerang" convict. I work around guys who are on their 7th or 8th number in a lot of cases. Prison is all they know and has become their de-facto "family" Behind the walls, they ARE somebody-weilding power or influence in scads of different ways. Plus they have 3 hots & a cot, free medical care, dental care, education, entertainment etc...Now, having nattered on about that, when it comes to sex offenders-they deserve what they get-in any way, shape or form...I am heartless when it comes to that crime. Let em rot, or better yet-make a loud announcement when the yard or compound is open about who they are and what they've done and let the inmate "peer review" decide on the punishment...coz it won't be pretty. Sex offenders are the scum at the bottom of a very nasty pond...

[boogerb53]

The judicial system was put in place after careful consideration. Rules were laid down for a purpose. For the government to feel they can over ride these guidelines is a bit too much like Big Brother to me. Remember that great, should have won an Oscar (tongue in cheek) movie with Sylvester Stallone where they incarcerated you because of crimes you might commit in the future? This sounds a lot like that.

[frisbee]

gntlgnt - I like the peer review option. Put 'em in a cell with a guy named Tiny........

[no bounce no play]

I'm a bleeding heart liberal as far as Texans go but...

I think allowing indefinite confinement of sex offenders until they are no longer considered dangerous is a good thing... shoulda always been like that but imperfect sentencing laws forbade it. Offenders who have turned their act around should be released after serving their time but registering released offenders who haven't turned their act around does NOT protect children. Those who were wrongfully convicted will pass the test... probably.

I'd be all for executing sex offenders whose victims were children... and Texas leads the nation in the number of executions... BUT Texas also leads the nation in the number of wrongful convictions sooooo... indefinite confinement might be best.

[boogerb53]

I'm a bleeding heart liberal as far as Texans go but...

I think allowing indefinite confinement of sex offenders until they are no longer considered dangerous is a good thing... shoulda always been like that but imperfect sentencing laws forbade it. Offenders who have turned their act around should be released after serving their time but registering released offenders who haven't turned their act around does NOT protect children. Those who were wrongfully convicted will pass the test... probably.

I'd be all for executing sex offenders whose victims were children... and Texas leads the nation in the number of executions... BUT Texas also leads the nation in the number of wrongful convictions sooooo... indefinite confinement might be best.

If you want to keep sex offenders in until they are no longer a threat....which is never....then say so at the beginning. Don't say ok...you have to stay 15 years. And then in 14 years 11 months, say Oops...we changed our minds.

[Sigmund]

Sex offenders are like serial killers-they don't learn, they don't change, they don't stop on their own. They CANNOT be rehabilitated because they were never (okay, maybe when they were infants or very young children) habilitated. Study the literature-the recidivism rate is almost 100% and only because they are locked up. By the time a sex offender is caught and convicted he has abused/raped scores of innocents. When they get out they have honed their crime/technique. Eventually, yeah, really, they will learn that the best way to not get caught is to kill the victim so they will not be able to testify. DNA or no, a live, hurt, witness is powerful stuff for the jury so, eliminate the victim.
I'm the first in line as a bleeding heart liberal. I am PROUD to be an American and I stand behind her and her decisions and laws. (Although they grieve me sometimes.)
I won't shed a tear or give these abominations a second thought.

[AngelZ]

I agree that sexual predators, particularly child predators are the worst of the worst, but IMO this decision is completely wrong. You can't have a man go through a trial, sentence him, have him serve his time and then turn around and say: "Sorry buddy, you're stuck in the slammer forever." Although most likely he will go out to offend again, you can't imprison him for crimes he's about to commit. As someone suggested earlier, you need to give these offenders life sentences going forward.