In 1976, Phillip Garrido was arrested and convicted for interstate kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old woman. He received a federal prison sentence of 50 years to life. He was released from prison after serving only 11 years. On August 26, 2009, the 58-year-old Garrido was arrested in the kidnapping of an 11-year-old in 1991 after the victim walked into a San Francisco area police station and said she had been abducted 18 years ago.
Police say Garrido fathered children with the woman who was snatched from a bus stop in 1991. She spent most of the next 18 years isolated in sheds, tents and outbuildings. The abducted child, now an adult, has two children fathered by this sex offender.
Most people would be surprised to know how many sex offenders actually live near them. There are databases that show us exactly where convicted, registered sex offenders are located. These databases are great to access when looking to buy a new home or to see who might be living near us. However, do we really need to worry about sex offenders re-offending? Is the Garrido case a rare occurrence?
A Federal Department of Justice study in 1994 showed that recidivism rates were lower than most had thought; however, any recidivism in this matter is horrible. Here are some stats from that study:
* Of the 9,691 male sex offenders released from prisons in 15 States in 1994, 5.3% were rearrested for a new sex crime within 3 years of release.
* Within 3 years of release, 2.5% of released rapists were rearrested for another rape.
* Sex off fenders were about four times more likely than non-sex offenders to be arrested for another sex crime after their discharge from prison.
However, in 1996 a panel convened by the Department of Justice called the Center for Sex Offender Management brought forth some more sobering statistics. Recidivism rates of around 20% were seen in some areas of the US . Interestingly, psychological treatments were noted to dramatically decrease recidivism.
There are several ways to deal with sex offenders. Of course, there is standard incarceration. Then there are several different forms of psychological therapy. Moreover and unbelievably to some, there is chemical castration and physical castration as well.
Regarding incarceration, I find it appalling that anyone convicted of a sex offense is ever released early. As an example, in the Garrido case he was given 50 years and released in 11. That is unconscionable. Shortly after his release, he kidnapped a child right off the street and kept her for 18 years. If he had been behind bars as his conviction declared, none of the child's nightmare would have occurred.
What should we do with sex offenders? Should we leave it, as it is now, harsh penalties in some states, and lenient terms for others in other states? Are we accomplishing justice for potential victims the way things are being done now? I suggest we are not. In my view, sex offenders should be sentenced harshly. Their sentences should be definite. 50 years means 50 years. Mandatory treatment while incarcerated for the entire length of their imprisonment should be compulsory. Sex crimes have a form of compulsion behind them. It needs special management. Harsh penalties with the latest medical treatments are the least we can do for the safety of our loved ones.
