Rise in sex offender parolees living on the street

by Tammy Strobel on January 14, 2010

posted in: Public Affairs

John Simerman reported earlier this week that “less than a year after state corrections officials tightened a $22 million spigot of free apartments and motel rooms for paroled sex offenders, the number of parolees who say they are homeless has nearly doubled, adding fuel for critics who say the tight living restrictions under Jessica’s Law threaten public safety more than bolster it.”

Robert Coombs, the Director of Public Affairs, at CALCASA was interviewed for the story and said:

We’re finally at a point where we just have to acknowledge this is actually a problem, and it’s not one for lack of trying. It’s actually a public safety issue..

I don’t care if these guys have a nice lifestyle. But if you look at the research, it actually says if you reduce their stability you increase the risk of re-offense. I think we’ll start to see there really is that link. The way we find that out is through more victims.

A number of officials were interviewed for the story, including Senator George Runner and CDCR Undersecretary Scott Kernan.

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Author: Tammy Strobel (88 Articles)

I've been working for non-profits as a volunteer or paid staff member for the last 10 years. The primary focus of my work in the non-profit field has been educating the public about sexual assault. I have worked across a range of advocacy-related positions — from volunteering in direct services to coordinating media and legislation at the CALCASA.

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Weekly news update: Week of January 18th — CALCASA — California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
January 19, 2010 at 11:06 am

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