Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Protecting ourselves is costing us money

Sometimes when a sexual predator has served their prison sentence, but has been deemed too dangerous to enter back into the real world, they live out their life behind bars in what is called a civil commitment program. Although we may all feel a little safer and believe that is where they should be held, but these programs cost money-a lot of money. Minnesota alone spends $65 million a year to house and treat these offenders and they have a "smaller" facility, housing about 400 inmates. These sexual predators may not have freedom, but they have a roof over their head and three square meals a day which is more than some people who have done nothing wrong and are just trying to survive in this unstable economy. It just doesn't seem fair and yet lawmakers are at a loss as to what to do. It's unfortunate that the state has to incur the cost to make sure these people are "taken care of properly". Let's hope they are getting fed the bare minimum of cheap, bland food and that they all participate in cleaning and maintaining the facilities. This wouldn't be cruel and unusual punishment, and even if it was, the reason they are living out their life in these places is because of cruel acts that they have been convicted of . So what is the solution? How do we keep these predators locked away without putting ourselves into a bigger deficit? What steps can we take to ensure our safety without draining state funds?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37819608/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/from/ET

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Joran Van Der Sloot at it again?

Natalee Holloway disappeared more than five years ago. She was in Aruba, on a class trip when she went missing. A local teen, Joran Van Der Sloot was arrested and released twice in her case, due to "insufficient evidence". The son of a prominent
judge, Van Der Sloot admitted he was with Natalee, but insists that he left her on the beach, drunk. An undercover journalist even filmed Van Der Sloot discussing Holloway, and how he asked a friend to dump her body in the ocean. Even though Holloway's family, with the support of American authorities, has pushed the Dutch government to pursue the case, they have had little or no help from island officials. Now, Joran Van Der Sloot has been arrested in Chile after a young woman was found dead in his hotel room in Peru. Stephany Flores is seen on video leaving a casino with him and again arriving at his hotel. Four hours after they arrived, Joran left alone and headed to Chile. He was arrested in Chile and authorities returned him to Peru to face charges. He has denied any involvement in Stephany's murder. Joran Van Der Sloot is also being sought by US officials after reports that he tried to extort money from Natalee Holloway's family, stating he would disclose the whereabouts of her remains. Apparently, this man has been able to do and say whatever he pleases without any kind of repercussions. No, he has not been found guilty of any crimes yet, but is it really a coincidence that two young women end up dead after spending time with him? There is said to be DNA evidence in Flores' murder, so hopefully that will be "sufficient evidence" to be able to prosecute him. Maybe now, facing serious charges in another country, he will finally pay the consequences for his actions. The island of Aruba cannot protect him now.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100603/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_peru_van_der_sloot
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=12602490