CFC OKLAHOMA

SENATOR MIKE MAZZEI-OKLAHOMA UNABLE TO PROVIDE COMPELLING EVIDENCE

This is an indictment against the vast majority of law makers in Oklahoma. They have passed laws that endanger children rather than protect. Laws based on myths, lies and emotional hysteria, promoted by the entertainment news media and politicians who for ratings and votes have refused to bring in the experts when making laws dealing with the sex offender issues. Laws that do more harm than good.



Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2008 12:42 PM
To: mazzei@oksenate.govThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject: Sex Offender Legislation


Dear Mr. Mazzei,
I am somewhat of an activist in the area of sex offender legislation since my innocent life as a family member continues to be adversely affected by the onslaught of questionable efforts in the name of public safety. The question is "are these new laws truly preventing sexual abuse?" I think not, and a proper analysis of the relative statistics will show that recidivism rates have remained almost the same, and in some cases, have increased, since the beginning of these legislative attacks on "former" sex offenders.
I've noticed a trend in sex offender legislation. It seems to start with a heinous crime committed against a child, public outrage at ALL former sex offenders ensues, and legislation is quickly proposed to 'solve' the problem. Though I agree that the sexual abuse of children is one of the most disturbing crimes in our society, the reaction in the media has been somewhat one sided, and very unfair to many reformed offenders who pose no risk at all. Punishment is a great deterrent, and statistics show that 95% of former offenders do not re-offend. Punishment works, as does treatment, when it is done properly by skilled practitioners. Why do you allow the abuse of the Bill of Rights to continue with these numerous ex post facto laws (registration, notification and residency restriction laws) that show no evidence of reducing sexual abuse in our communities?
I'm sure you're aware that our Justice Department has found that within 3 years of an offender's release, less than 4% of sex offenders strike again.
1. These statistics have remained the same since the mid 1980's. I tend to conclude that these registration laws and residency restrictions are not having the desired public safety benefits, nor are they cost effective. Proponents of these laws can show no credible evidence that they are effective, and it should be clear that since the statistics have remained the same since the mid 1980's, these laws are not worth the trouble. Better solutions must be found.
I also know that many families have been, and continue to be, devastated by these new laws. Many men and women who are not violent or predatory offenders are being forced out of their homes, with their children, and are forced to live in tents and under bridges.
2. Other families are losing their "bread winners" because of the hysteria created concerning former sexual offenders, which, are mostly based on myths. These new laws are forcing former offenders into a state of vagrancy and disenfranchisement in various parts of the Country. This cannot possibly serve a public safety interest. In fact, this is bound to increase the risk. It is no secret to those closely associated with this subgroup in America, that the keys to success lie in reintegration through a supportive living arrangement, employment and treatment. When laws are passed that severely curtail the ability to achieve these factors, society is left unprotected from angry offenders who are failing to live a law-abiding life post incarceration. Former sex offenders are American citizens too, and do have civil rights that need to be protected. The cumulative effect of these laws could conceivably lead a former offender with nothing more to lose to "snap" and cause grave harm to the general public.
I believe that the solution to the sexual abuse problem will only be found through responsible education and social reform. Children are much better educated about the sexual abuse issue these days and Parents are far better equipped to monitor the email and chat room habits of their children than the Governments. As long as these issues become part of our education system, the potential for sexual violence against children will continue to decline.
Perhaps developing an understanding for how sexual deviants are created would lead to more viable solutions to the problem, rather than focusing on costly and counterproductive legislation?
3. I hope you will consider the following:
The unintended consequences of retroactive residency restrictions on the innocent family members of former offenders will be enormous.
Forcing former offenders to register their email addresses with the authorities will serve no legitimate public safety purpose. Authorities will be "chasing their tales" in a cumbersome effort to curb sexual abuse through monitoring emails, most of which will prove to be a waste of time and manpower. It's the responsibility of parents to monitor their own child's email and chat room activity, not the Government's.
Retroactive civil laws that have punitive affects on the people subject to them; even though deemed civil, are wrong. Please oppose retroactive application(s) of any law.
4. Considering the frustrations imposed by these new laws after one has lived a law-abiding life for years after incarceration, many ex-offenders will feel hopeless and may end up not caring about other people at all. Many evil deeds are born out of desperation. It serves no purpose to create an entire population of desperate people if the goal is personal accountability. Accountability is not born out of despair, it is born out of support.
I urge you to please make "careful consideration" your priority. Please understand that socially abusive policies that serve to isolate and humiliate offenders is one of many elements that contribute to the cognitive evolution of most sexual abusers and can have a positive or negative effect. It is your duty to ensure that the effect is positive in order to meet your goal of increasing public safety. To enact laws that encourage social abuse and banishment will not prevent the sexual abuse of children, but rather, it will most likely increase that potential among others.
I urge you to review the data provided by Dr. Jill Levenson recently at a Harvard University event regarding residency restrictions, among many others. Dr. Levenson is a well respected and leading researcher in the area of residency restrictions and has provided invaluable information on this subject. (I can forward you a copy of her PDF's if you don't have them). The bottom line is that residency restrictions are not evidence based, serve no legitimate purpose in reaching their goal (increased safety) and can have the opposite effect of increasing several of the risk factors that lead to criminal behavior.

Respectfully Submitted,




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REPLY FROM SENATOR MIKE MAZZEI

Pam Hodges



Thank you for your well-thought out comments. I appreciate the in-depth attention you have given this matter. I must say, however, that the majority of my constituents support significant restrictions for sex offenders and cite compelling evidence which counters your assertions. I will continue to listen to the comments of constituents such as yourself and make the best judgments I can as legislation comes before the Senate.



Please be sure to check out the Senate website at www.oksenate.gov to see my thoughts on a variety of issues, as well as other work in the Senate. Please always feel free to contact us if we can be of further assistance.



Best regards,

Senator Mike Mazzei

District 25





Pam Hodges

Executive Assistant to

Senator Mike Mazzei

Oklahoma State Senate

2300 North Lincoln Blvd., Room 411A

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Phone: 405.521.5675

Fax: 405.521.5582

-----Original Message-----





Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 1:35 AM
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .usThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank-you for your response. I would like to know exactly what, "compelling evidence that counters My assertions."

I have studied all the studies and cannot find one, not one study that or evidence that counters my assertions.

I would seriously like to know the documentation to those claims.

To be honest and forward, I do not believe there is any. I have never in all the research I have done found any reliable evidence any where. I have challenged others in the past and they all, everyone, came up empty handed and eventually conceded that my assertions are true, they are backed up by experts in the field.

Please, please, send me any documentation that says otherwise. I don't want opinions but facts by experts. Again, I have to challenge you by saying there is not one study that contradicts my position. Not one..

Hope to hear from you soon.


Linda

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Once truth is acknowledged, you cannot deny it and remain true to yourself

Mary Duval

www.cfcoklahoma.org

www.rickyslife.com


Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:17 AM
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l
Dear Senator Hodges,

I've shared the content of your e-mail with a few experts in the field. Basically here is one response from a PhD.

"I too would be interested in learning about the "compelling evidence" ... its most likely media-based information, not research! This would provide an excellent opportunity to educate the legislator on the difference between the two in terms of accuracy/validity of the information source."

The truth of the matter, Senator is there is no "compelling evidence" research. All the research and studies say basically the same thing, i.e., These laws "do more harm than good. They actually put children and society in even greater danger. They protect no one."

If you are indeed interested in the research, I would be more than happy to supply you with a lot of the research that is readily available.


Linda


Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 6:29 PM
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Dear Senator Hodges,

I was really hoping you could give me some documentation in reference to the "compelling evidence," which you spoke of. However I know there isn't such a thing and you sir, in my opinion, are like many other politicians who play the "politics of fear."

I understand votes are important. so is the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

EVERY study I have read says the same. These laws endanger children and society. It isn't so much what sex offenders deserve, it's what children and society deserve. NON-punitive, effective laws.

I am going to write an article describing our correspondence and put it on www.cfcoklahoma.org as well as submit it to editors throughout the state. However, I will give it a week to see whether you will come up with this "Compelling evidence." Please be sure to document any study you come up with, so it can be verified.

Thank-You



All in all, the Senator faild to provide the "compelling evidence" that he spoke about.

I personally believe that it's not about protecting children but gathering "VOTES."