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January 26, 2006
CT jumps on the bandwagon sentencing "sex offenders"
January 26, 2006
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants new legislation requiring 25-year minimum mandatory prison sentences for certain sexual predators who assault children.
Her proposal mirrors a new Florida law prompted by last year's sexual assault and slaying of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
Rell, who unveiled a package of proposals on Wednesday, is also suggesting lifetime tracking by global positioning satellite of the most serious sexual predators. She wants those offenders to also register their addresses with state authorities for life.
Offenders who commit lesser crimes could also be monitored by GPS if state parole and probation officers believe they pose a risk, under Rell's proposal. The Judicial Branch's Office of Adult Probation recently completed a pilot program using GPS to track some high-risk offenders.
"We need to give those charged with properly tracking offenders upon their release the tools that they need," Rell, a Republican, said in a written statement.
Some of Rell's ideas are similar to parts of a plan recently unveiled by legislative Democrats, who control the General Assembly. For example, Democrats also want to expand the state's sexual offender Web site and include descriptions of the offenses committed, in addition to the offenders' photographs and addresses. Rell also wants to include contact information for the offender's parole or probation officer. Lawmakers will take up the proposals in this year's legislative session, which opens on Feb. 8.
Rell's proposal calls for lifetime GPS monitoring and lifetime registration for those convicted of multiple counts of first- and second-degree sexual assault and tougher penalties for anyone convicted of knowingly harboring a sex offender who failed to register with state authorities. Convicted sex offenders from other states would be required to register in Connecticut 48 hours before their arrival. Those failing to do so within five days would face a felony charge.
The governor's plan would also create a separate criminal violation for offenders who fail to verify address changes or report name changes for the GPS monitoring and registration requirements.
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ct-xgr--sexualpredato0126jan2
5,0,573988.story
Posted by lois at January 26, 2006 08:49 PM