Alice Sebold’s bestseller 1999 memoir LuckyThe story tells of the rape and exploitation of a young girl at Syracuse University by an unknown man. The book shows that the perpetrator is brought to justice and sentenced. Sebold was inspired to create the best-selling book after writing about it. The Lovely BonesThis fictional story tells the tale of a teenager girl who was raped, and then killed. Last week, Anthony Broadwater was released from prison after serving 16 years for his rape of Sebold.
Timothy Mucciante, a producer Working on an adaptation for film LuckyAfter raising concerns about the inconsistencies within Sebold’s story, he was fired. Mucciante has a background in law and began to review the files. He became more disturbed by the discrepancies between Sebold’s memoir and actual facts, until he was forced to “Can’t get to sleep.” Mucciante hired a private investigator for further investigation, which led to the P.I. The case was finally closed. Broadwater’s conviction turns out to have rested on shaky evidence: Sebold had had trouble identifying her assailant—she had initially picked a different man out of a lineup—and the only forensic evidence was a form of hair analysis that the government now considers junk science. Although the expert witness stated that Broadwater was consistent with the attacker’s hair, it could not be said that Broadwater had been able to identify him. This wasHis hair.
Broadwater, who was released in 1999, was put on the New York Sex Offender Registry. He remained there until just a few days before his release. Broadwater’s case is a stark reminder of the inhumane nature of sex offences registries.
Broadwater was released from prison and married, but they never had any children. He recently SubmittedThe Syracuse Post-StandardHe didn’t want his children growing up with a dad who was convicted for rape. He was also “”For one simple reason, he was convicted of rape on the sex-offender registry and has been turned down for countless job offers over the years.Nearly one million Americans are on these registries. They know the story and realize that it has a negative impact on their loved ones. Public postings of every registrant’s name, address and crime result in inevitable infamy, as well as very limited job opportunities.
Broadwater served two sentences, one in prison and one on the registry following his release. Broadwater, who was convicted in New York and is currently residing there, has a pending sentence. Clean slate billIt would immediately expunge criminal records for three years for misdemeanors, and seven for felonies. This is to assist those who have had prior convictions through background checks and allow them to apply for more housing and job opportunities. The bill does not address sex offences, as the literature supporting it emphasizes.
But Even the guilty can be forgivenThese people don’t merit this kind of treatment. These registries have devastating consequences, as Broadwater and others detail. AfterAll convicted people have served their sentence. TThe registries include minors convicted, people convicted for statutory or noncontact offenses and persons with mental and developmental disabilities.
Broadwater told Syracuse.com that he tried vocational classes but was turned down by campus administrators when he found out he was listed on the Registry. Broadwater was innocent. But even if he were, shouldn’t anyone who is looking for employment and stability after being imprisoned have the opportunity to continue education?
In Higher Ed Recently reportedColleges are “stepping up their efforts to help students who were in or have been in prison” due to a growing interest in racial injustice. This is an ethical and smart investment that is supported by both parties. This program was co-founded and directed by me. St. Francis College. However, these initiatives, such as New York’s Clean Slate law, frequently exclude individuals from registries. Even if states and institutions don’t ask potential participants for their criminal history, federal lawIt is mandatory that all persons on the registries, except those who have been convicted of other sexual offenses, notify the state about their enrollment. This often leads to a predictable administrative backlash.
The myths around recidivism are one reason there is a lot of sex crime “carve-outs”. Contrary what popular opinion says, people with sex crime convictions do actually have Lower recidivism RatesThey are more likely to be convicted than of other crimes (a conviction unfortunately reinforced by the Supreme Court which mistakenly declared that the rate for sex crime recidivism “Fearful and terrifying“). A third of all the almost 3,000 records have been documented. ExonerationsSex crimes have been around since 1989. About 13 percent are in prisonYou are being prosecuted for sexual offences
Fear and emotion are stronger than data. This is reinforced by the cultural obsession with statistically rare and terrifying instances of stranger danger. ChildrenAnd Adults involves nonstrangers). This is reinforced in books such as Sebold’s.
Broadwater is alleged to have lived in “a secluded area” for some time.Windowless filth“I was unaware of Sebold’s key role in Sebold’s memoir and the fame and windfall it brought me.” In The New York TimesBroadwater RecalledHis registrant years were marked by “stigmatization and isolation”. Post-prison treatment does not guarantee safety and success. Research has shown that the registries of sex offenses haven’t made America’s children safer. These data show that there is a steady, long-lasting pattern to the trend. ReceiptChild sex offences that were started Before the establishment of registries.
Things must change.
While colleges should still lead reforms in criminal justice, they must also be open to new offences-blind admissions that welcome all students. Our country shouldn’t make anyone who served their sentence unworthy of forgiveness and/or a second chance.