Pedophiles don’t deserve a second chance

Convicted sex offenders need longer sentences to avoid repeat offenses

By Maddie Hernandez

Editor-in-Chief

Maddie Hernandez
Maddie Hernandez

Pedophiles make up 5 percent of our population, physically and mentally shattering the minds or lives of many. Yet, life in prison is an infrequent sentencing for them. According to Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing Children, pedophiles are required to be registered as sex offenders, yet 80 for every 100,000, are missing registrations with no indication of where the “monsters” are hiding.
With these registrations, comes the confirmation that child molesters have been convicted. Once released from prison, over 90 percent of convicted pedophiles are arrested again for the same offense. So, why? Why, when they shatter so many lives, are they given a second chance? When a dog bites a human and traumatizes them, the victim has a right to legally challenge the owner or tell them to put the dog to sleep. Therefore, why, when a human rapes, traumatizes, and abuses their victim, do they not get the same treatment? I firmly believe in the principle “innocent until proven guilty”. However, I also firmly believe that a convicted pedophile deserves life in prison or none at all, since statistically speaking, he will hunt for another young, innocent victim.
“I think pedophiles should spend their lives in prison because it is an awful thing and it can mentally scar kids for life,” sophomore, Stephanie Knoble, stated.
According to the US Bureau of Molestation statistics, 77 percent of convicted molesters victimized children under the age of 11. Just as, Dr. Gene Abel with the National Institute of Mental Health Study, found that the average molester begins around the age of 15 and on average molests 117 children through their lives with most of whom do not report the offense, resulting in undocumented molesters.
“I don’t believe they[pedophiles] should spend life in prison if they have a mental disorder; but if they don’t, then yes for life in prison, because they were aware of what they were doing,” sophomore, Molly Brogdon, proclaimed.
While some people believe in benefit of the doubt, such as the pedophile being mentally unstable, profiles from FBI Academy have found that 80 percent and above of molesters are of normal intelligence or above.
“I don’t think they[pedophiles] can help their pedophilia anymore than someone can help being gay or a certain attraction they may have. They have psychological disorder and THAT is what needs rehabilitation. It’s how they are wired, and I’d rather see them in a psych ward than in prison for life,” Placer Psychology teacher, Jason Long, professed. “Obviously, they are aware of what they do to children and there should be ramifications and the children are priority to protect. However, I don’t think prison is the right answer because it’s just a band-aid covering the problem up, instead of taking care of it,” Long later added.
Life in prison is not an elaborate request for those who have damaged an innocent life. According to an anonymous source, they described rape like “being disfigured inside, even decades later”. To me, rape and murder, is the same in the sense that they have affected an innocent life and those connected with the victim. So, how is it that less than 10 percent of molesters have faced life in prison; and from surveys conducted by State Prison Departments, a whopping 11 years has been the average for a pedophiles’ time in prison.
“Pedophiles should spend life in prison because what
they did is wrong, and if they are not in prison for life, there is a very high chance that they will do it again,” junior, Raven Lewis, voiced.
As for prison life for these “people”, I would rather taxpayers continue to pay for inmates in jail, to keep monsters such as pedophiles locked away for good versus lower taxes but more innocent children at risk. The trauma the victim’s face is enough to want these guys locked away for good. I can’t imagine those out there who say that anyone who has raped anyone, let alone a child, deserves a second chance at freedom. Our soldiers don’t go battle everyday freedom for some lousy character to take advantage of those who are too young and weak to fight back. They go to fight our battles so our nation can attempt peace and that’s what we should be reciprocating, not letting the same person have a second chance to harm another innocent life.