Description
Florida just recently voted to restore voting rights to most felons. In light of this decision, it is interesting to consider the continued inequalities that convicted offenders serve after their sentences are completed.
- Should convicted offenders be able to automatically assume their previous life’s freedom once they complete their sentence? Should they be able to vote, assume food stamp programs and live in public housing? It is a violation of their basic freedom to not allow these benefits?
- Once their sentence is served, do they continue to be “sentenced” to a life of inequality? Why or why not?
This is of special concern with sex offenders who are forced to register on sex offender registries for the rest of their lives, much longer than their original sentence.
- Are sex offender registries legitimate and/or appropriate given that not all sex offenses are equally serious?