7/14/2006

NEWS COLUMN: CRACKING DOWN ON SEX OFFENDERS

Every Minnesotan was horrified by the details in the Dru Sjodin case, and even more horrified that a convicted Level III sex offender  -- one of the worst of the worst among sexual predators --  was allowed back on our streets to allegedly torture and kill another victim.

State lawmakers were equally disgusted. It became one of our top priorities of the biennium to crack down on our sex offenders and make it more difficult to commit their heinous acts. I'm pleased to report that over the past two years we have gotten tough on those who prey on innocent victims and our children, and I thought you may find it interesting to see what the Minnesota House has helped accomplish in this area.

* Giving life sentences without parole for the "worst of the worst" * Level III sex offenders.

* Committing other serious sex offenders to prison for at least the minimum years of sentence imposed by the judge, but continuing that sentence until the Commissioner of Corrections rules that the person is no longer a threat to society.

* Requiring prosecutors to notify victims of sex crimes if no charges will be filed against a prime suspect.

* Sending sex offenders who have completed their prison terms to secure facilities for the rest of their lives if they are not deemed to be a threat to society.

* Creating longer sentences for sex offenders who commit lesser crimes.

* Funding statewide team to detect pedophiles who are stalking children on the internet.

* Dedicating new funds to build facilities housing sex offenders.

* Dedicating funds to strengthen and expand the treatment center in St. Peter.

* Posting on the internet the names, photos, and last known addresses of any sex offender who fails to check in with their probation officer.

* Revoking the release of sex offenders who fail to register or cooperate with authorities.

* Creating a task force that will investigate human trafficking for labor or sexual purposes.

* Increasing probation time for child molesters once they are released from prison.

* Imposing strict supervision and prompt local notification about predators who move to Minnesota after finishing their prison sentences in other states.

Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says there were 2,373 rapes and 4,012 other sex offenses in our state in 2004. These numbers translated into 17 sexual assaults each day in Minnesota. Due to these staggering numbers, it was imperative that the Legislature take major steps to crack down on sex offenders, and I was pleased to have supported all of these important laws over the past two years.