Signed

From what I am reading, I think America is finally starting to turn the corner and wise up not only on our prison overcrowding problem and problems within our criminal justice system, but also the legalization of marijuana.

It certainly took long enough and the prison system and the War on Drugs almost bankrupted this country.

Let's hope they get educated about sex offenses sooner than later, but since the War on Drugs has morphed into the War on Child Pornography, it may take awhile.

rewdiazepam

Just signed as well

Done.

Its probably the ONLY thing I will agree with Booker about. He was the former mayor of Newark NJ.

signed

Signed

signed

Signed

Will some one please tell me why these politicians ALWAYS EXCLUDE people with disabilities from their Bills ...... Solitary confinement has far more severe impacts on people with serious or severe mental health and developmental disabilities than it has on those with no such disabilities or mild disabilities and yet, every freaking time a politician files a Bill they eliminate people with disabilities. Damn this angers me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


•Significantly restricts room confinement of juveniles: Room confinement of juveniles—also known as solitary confinement—has been widely criticized as detrimental to the immediate and long-term mental and physical health of youth detainees. The REDEEM Act bans the use of room confinement for discipline, punishment, retaliation, staffing shortages, administrative convenience, or any reason other than as a temporary response to behavior that poses a serious and immediate risk of physical harm to the juvenile or others at any facility to which a federally adjudicated juvenile is sent. The REDEEM Act provides an incentive for states to follow suit by allowing preference to be given to Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant applications that originate from states that have enacted similar or stronger juvenile room confinement provisions.

LG, maybe I'm really dense, but I don't understand how the paragraph you copied and pasted applies to people with disabilities. Please help me understand.

Exactly Honestwitness --- there is nothing in the paragraph that deals with people with disabilities and that is my point because the legislation needs to include people with disabilities.

I crafted a letter to send to Senators Paul and Booker. Maybe others would be willing to send it.
Dear Senator (Paul or Booker),

I would like to commend you for the brilliant REEDEM Act that you and Senator Booker have created. I believe that it is imperative that this country start to look at methods for criminal punishment other than imprisonment. Although the REEDEM Act does not address the initial punishment, it does allow individuals to reintegrate into society.

I have read the REEDEM Act text and would like you to consider a slight change to the wording in the definitions section (a) (1) non-violent offense (B) a sex offense (as that term is defined in section 111 of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16911));. Crimes defined as sex offenses have become broad and all-encompassing with little though beyond the definition as stated above. For example, 18 U.S. Code Chapter 110 (2252B). Misleading domain names on the Internet Whoever knowingly uses a misleading domain name on the Internet with the intent to deceive a person into viewing material constituting obscenity shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both. This type of crime seems to fall within the area that you are attempting to target with the REEDEM Act. I would suggest that the wording be changed to (B) a Tier 2 or Tier 3 sex offender (as that term is defined in section 111 of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16911));.

A Tier 1 sex offender is defined as “Level I risk assessment classification" means the sexual offender is a low sex offense risk and low recidivism risk for future sexual offenses.” If any sex offender was convicted of a violent crime, they would never be placed in a Tier 1 level. In your reference within the REEDEM Act, 42 U.S.C 16911, speaks specifically to the Tiers in 42 U.S.C. 16911. The tiers are identified in the Public Law 109 - 248 - Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act Of 2006. In the state of Kentucky, there is recognition that there are different levels of sex offenders. New Jersey specifically outlines criteria for the three tier levels.

All convicted sex offenders are required to complete a Sex Offender Treatment Program. If you combine this with the Tier 1 concept, this makes including in the REEDEM Act as much if not more sense than any other non-violent crime. One of the criteria is that the supervised release is also completed. In most cases a sex offender will have 10 or more years of supervised release. Knowing that means that the person has not been charged with any other crime once again enhances the suitability of one to be included in the REEDEM Act.

The current public opinion of a sex offender is that they are all the same and at the worst of any sex crime such as a child rapist. The law has identified that there are different levels and the family and friends of sex offenders also understand there are differences. I am hoping that you will be willing to start an opening for others to also understand there are differences.

I sincerely hope that you will consider this request and at least include Tier 1 sex offenders in the REEDEM Act.

Sincerely,

Signed.

And yes Rew, I hope they end the war on all things stupid.

catspaw1954, that's a brilliant letter. I'll definitely send one, too. Also, we should find out the names of any legislators on any committees that will be taking this bill into consideration and send this letter to them also.

By the way, I know that Vicki Henry, president of Women Against Registry (WAR), is planning on opening a dialogue with Rand and Booker on this issue, as well.

LG, I see what you mean. In order to follow catspaw1954's lead, do you have any suggested wording you think should be added to the legislation? I think Rand and Booker would welcome any input.