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In 2008, I was found guilty of a sex offense (non violent and not involving minors). Years ago, the political
winds within the Commonwealth of Virginia shifted toward
'rehabilitation' and instituted mandatory programs for all sex
offenders within specific counties. Hence, this past December, I was court ordered to complete a
sex offenders programs in Fairfax
County, Fairfax, Virginia given by: The Center for Clinical and
Forensic Services ( CCFS).
Part of the requirement of these sex offender groups is to take
polygraphs on a continual basis, the first being a history to
determine a complete background on one's habits. This is followed by a
series of regular scheduled maintenance polygraphs to determine that
the individual has maintained compliance to all rules and regulations
during the past period (give or take four to six months).
My first test, a history, was determined to be a overall ‘inconclusive” (eventhough some questions were scored as “not deceptive” and some were scored as “inconclusive”) which is seen as a failure in the eyes of probation and the CCFS. Knowing that I had told the truth (as I had
nothing else left to hide) I started the process of understanding what
the polygraph was all about. Having a solid background in science, I left no stone unturned.
I began to find out that the first order of deception was the test
itself (read: the silly card tricks to insult your intelligence and
hopefully convince you of the empirically sound science involved in
the device). I began to understand that having certain disorders can
ultimately give physiological responses that appear as deception or
that people can be asked questions in such manners as to give off
physiological changes that may be inferred as deception even though
there is no guilt whatsoever.
The following 'make-up' test (another $300.00 to the newly found cash-
cow of polygraphy) was deceptive this time. no changes in the
questions. This time 2 questions were “extremely deceptive” and the 3rd was “not deceptive”. It found it interesting, that this time (3 months later) I scored “extremely deceptive” to certain history questions and I showed “no deception” just 3 months prior. That means I was not attracted to minors 3 months ago but now 3 months later I am. This confirms the unreliability and inconsistency of the polygraphs and shows why that are not admissible in court under normal circumstances.
I communicated with both probation officer and therapist that I was being completely honest and put my total history on the table to no avail. Once again, my concerns were ignored and threats were made to violate and that my restrictions (9pm curfew, GPS ankle bracelet, unable to visit father out of town whom was diagnosed with cancer, etc would stay in place).
During my next meeting with my PO, I mentioned the overwhelming pricing
of the polygraph and wanted to again talk about the deception of the
test itself but was immediately shut down. (I am getting a reputation
as a 'squeaky wheel' rather than a person seeking truth.)
Of the 10 people in my group, I am the only one that seems to be knowledgeable about the “issues” with the polygraph. I believe the others feel it
is safer to remain passive and simply take the test, suffer the
results, and continue shelling out unrealistic amounts of money to
pseudo-science mongerers. Part of the requirement for competing this
program is to have two maintenance tests passed which I think is
absolutely ridiculous. The tests are so subjective and honesty about
the results compromised by the financial incentives involved, I feel
that a person receiving two passed maintenance polygraphs is strongly
controlled. (read: it is more important to have a firm grasp on the
sex offender's wallet). I also believe they attempt to console you into making a confession and being on your side and as soon as that comes up they will have the police at your front door.
I am looking for legal advice on this issue but also hope to
bring a few others out of the 'taboo closet' that our culture has
created around sexuality. Sex offenders are looked upon as the
'bottom-feeders' of society, even worse than a person that takes
another's life. I have my pictured/address/job posted online, 9pm curfew, no alcohol, no travel, endless amounts of $ just stay at ground zero in treatment. While sex offenses are diverse and varying in detail
and purpose, it takes listening to understand each individual's story.
Unfortunately, because of the witchhunt/crusade we have chosen to
undertake against sex offenders in general today, listening and
understanding about something so fundamental to our nature and reason
for being here today is lost.
I very seriously question the purpose of any sex offender program that
marries itself to a device such as the polygraph. It is truly myth
married to myth and when this happens, credibility regarding the
fundamental direction (read: rehabilitation) diminishes. This is
unfortunate for those (like myself) who are seeking serious
introspection into our human nature and divorcing ourselves from many
degenerative belief systems.
So what might be the true purpose behind programs that are for people
that offend others sexually? There are answers and we only have to
open the door slightly to begin to understand.
There is another message that is being conveyed to anyone that is
subjected to the induction of the polygraph into any program:
"You are stupid and we (the polygraph machine) will take advantage of
and exploit your ignorance to our advantage."
To make matters worse, they sell their wares via the countenance of
local and state governments. Granted, if a polygraph test can
intimidate, harass and exploit your ignorance to the point of a
confession, then fundamentally, pseudo-science aside, (and banking on
your ignorance), it is a tool that is cost efficient. This is the
reason that it is endorsed today but no reason to call it scientific.
Go beyond having your intelligence insulted and become proactive
against the polygraph. To others in my group or similar groups, I ask
that you assert what you believe to be the difference between right
and wrong, after all, that is the root of what rehabilitation is all
about: knowing the difference between the two and subscribing to the
acceptable cultural standards. To remain passive when you know that
there are questionable practices surrounding you, is not progressive
and will only worsen your ability to approach and confront life's
stage of actors and clowns tomorrow.
I ask now for others to take a positive first step and weigh in on
this growing exploitation of the populace's ignorance of such
contrived 'science'.
The thing that makes me suspicious is that in March I was approved to no got to CCFS. I was still receiving voluntary treatment. The PO violated a few months based on failed polygraph, faulty alerts by GPS eventhough I had witnesses showing the GPS gave off false alerts. Now after going into CCFS, he admits that the GPS has black spots at my home and it is indeed faulty. Hmmm why was I violated the 1st time? So that I could be sent to CCFS? I have phone records and witnesses showing that I was where I was supposed to be during these alerts that he counted against me. But no one listens to a sex offender.
P.S. – I really want to fight this and somehow get out of CCFS and into another reputable sex offender treatment program in the DC metro area. This CCFS group is way too controversial and seems like a one-way street back to jail for me. In the meantime, because I have not “passed” my 2 sexual history polygraphs, I must continue to live with the following restrictions for the past year:
• 9pm curfew
• Unable to visit elderly parents who live in state but outside of my travel restriction
• Probation violation threats
• Refusal to progress me in treatment (eventhough I cry for help for my addiction it is refused due to polygraphs)
• Weekly payments and monthly payments for polygraphs = beaucoup $$$ (it is bad enough we can’t get jobs with this conviction and now we have to pay our little bit of money to polygraphs
• Continuing with the faulty GPS that gives false alerts nightly at my house because of lost signal and deprives me of sleep several days a week. These complaints go ignored by my PO. He says it’s a “nuisance” but I’m more concerned with public safety.
I could go on with this list but I will stop here.
I AM SEEKING AN ATTORNEY THAT WILL AT LEAST FIGHT FOR ME TO BE PLACED IN AN ALTERNATIVE SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM IN THE AREA THAT IS TRULY THERE TO HELP ME AND MY ADDICTION AND NOT TO JUST LINE THEIR POCKETS. I WANT HELP BUT THIS CCFS PROGRAM IS NOT WHAT I CONSIDER HELP. LIVING WITH THESE RESTRICTIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN VERY TOUGH AND I CAN ONLY GROW FRUSTRATED KNOWING THAT I AM NO FURTHER ALONG THAN I WAS A YEAR AGO.
Your comments are welcome and legal advice is even more welcome,
An Anonymous Subject
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