Do Sex Offenders Choose Homelessness to Hide from Authorities?

by Jessica Rowshandel · 2010-05-25 08:10:00 UTC
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Are some sex offenders feigning homelessness to get out of registering with authorities? Michigan law enforcement and lawmakers seem to think so. In Michigan, homeless sex offenders, by law, do not have to report their residences because of the transient nature of homelessness. Since February, when this law took effect, homelessness among sex offenders has jumped by 62 percent, according to the Grand Rapids Press.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, there are 750 sex offenders, and eight report homelessness. Two hundred and sixty report homelessness statewide. Authorities are not sure how many are really unable to secure housing and how many are just avoiding supervision, school zone restrictions and tracking by communities.

A bill has passed that would require homeless sex offenders to register, but it has not yet become law. It would require homeless offenders to register their shelter addresses, intersections or approximate locations. The concern, however, is that some of the homeless frequently move from location to location, indoor or outdoor, and it's not easy to keep updating an address, even if it's just an intersection.

While some feel that we have to pick out all the "bad apples" among us, it's impossible to control everything. No system will ever be perfect, so should all homeless sex offenders, many of whom are not pedophiles, be forced to register their addresses because of a few liars?

Here's another question. Should homeless sex offenders be allowed to stay in shelters that are in school zones? We know that homelessness is likely to increase the instances of recidivism among sex offenders because of residency restrictions, but what about temporary shelter? While I know that many people out there are repulsed by sex offenders to the point of wishing their execution, it still seems wrong that someone should die on the streets because he couldn't access shelter services due to school zone restrictions.

This isn't a cut-and-dry issue. One thing I know, though, is that the answer isn't: "All sex offenders are evil and should be castrated or executed."  For our safety and theirs, sex offenders need homes, and at the very least a place to stay. What are the laws in your state? Do you think homeless sex offenders should be required to register their addresses? Should they be allowed to stay in shelters that are in school zones if that is their only option?

Photo credit: zenobia_joy

Jessica Rowshandel is a social worker who currently runs a large homeless shelter in New York City.
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