There are so many people that are in this mess, you would think that eventually there will be more of "us" than "them".
I am talking about everyone, including all the families and children of the convicted ones who are being hurt by these ridiculous penalties! Let people move on and recover. Quit this lifetime probation, polygraph, registration nonsense! With all the websites and complaining why are we still losing? I suffer in silence all the time.  I wish I could get together more families and start informing legislators what it does to the innocent loved ones trapped in this hell with the (I hate to use this label) "SO".

Darn... I forgot to add the victims to the poll...the victims are in our family so they suffer the "no contact," what a nightmare for the coming and going of everyone! UGH! 8 yrs later..they work up to being able to have contact  and then they take it away...Even they think this is stupid! Go figure... and no one listens to them. PS. We like to call ourselves survivors now! 

Bill,
This is very well put, sane and thought provoking, thankyou.

Stefano, 

We agree on several points, and I don't "Hate" sex offenders myself.  I do hold them responsible for their acts.  I disagree with our justice system requiring lifetime probation and polygraphs.  As with any other crime, there should be a set  number of months or years dependent on the seriousness of the offense.  The exception to this would be repeat offenders that do not learn from past behaviors.  Some jurisdictions have these guidelines.  

An offender that is progressing in treatment should be given more responsibility in interacting with members of his family and the interactions should be monitored to insure there are no violations.  The family should also be in treatment to learn how to protect against further victimization and how to recognize the thinking errors of their family member   Again the treatment provider should have the final word on this, not a probation/parole officer and definitely not a polygraph examiner.  

As I have often repeated, polygraph is only a tool and should never be used as a final determinant of any life changing decision.  Probation/parole should conduct inquiries and find facts along with the treatment providers recommendations.  Polygraph only points these individuals in the direction of a possible infraction, and it is the responsibility of the rest of that team to find the true facts.  Admissions in a polygraph examination to violations of treatment or probation should be used and the offender should be held accountable.  This is why I audio/video all examination I conduct.  There is no debate if this condition is met.  

Yes we do agree that sexual offenders are humans and should be treated fairly, not as less than human and stigmatized further. They are accountable and they have made victims of their families and significant others.  A family should be treated with the utmost respect and all efforts to assist them should be made by "we the people" and all government agencies.  They deserve no less.  

A side note:  I was involved in sex offender treatment as a polygraph examiner in my early career.  I am currently not involved with treatment or containment of sex offenders.