A tricky juggling act between privacy and public safety, criminal punishment and lasting stigma, is explored in the wrap-up of a week-long MLive series looking at whether Michigan should create what it calls "a public database of paroled violent offenders."
Those on parole for second-degree murder and manslaughter are listed publicly in Illinois and Indiana.
Illinois and Indiana are among states with "a murderer registry
," writes Grand Rapids Press reporter Angie Jackson. "Some prosecutors and victims' families are saying it's time for Michigan to follow suit."
Hundreds of Michigan residents are on active parole for second-degree murder and manslaughter. The number totaled 539 last fall, according to Department of Corrections data. . . . About half of those parolees were supervised in Wayne County. . . .
They could be living next to you. Or your child's school. Chances are you'd never know it.
An interactive map accompanying the special report shows released killers under supervision by parole offices statewide last fall. (First-degree murderers can't be paroled.)
Here are Metro Detroit numbers:
- Detroit: 224 (and 17 at re-entry center)
- Pontiac: 46
- Lincoln Park: 33
- Mt. Clemens: 32
- Ann Arbor: 8
Jackson, originally from Rochester Hills, speaks with her home county sheriff, Michael Bouchard.
MLive provides background on ex-offender registries:
Murderer registries are online databases
Michigan maintains a similar registry for those convicted of sex crimes. Michigan's sex offender
Oakland Sheriff Michael Bouchard: " The point is not to create fear, but for families to have the knowledge to make cautious decisions." (Facebook photo)
Jackson, originally from Rochester Hills, speaks with her home county sheriff, Michael Bouchard. As a state senator in 1996, he co-sponsored a bill requiring online access to the sex offender list.
Bouchard said crimes such as murder merit a debate about a registry
The challenge with registries is making sure the list focuses on dangerous individuals who have a possibility of re-offending, he said. The point is not to create fear, but for families to have the knowledge to make cautious decisions if they want, for instance, by instructing children to avoid an offender's house when trick-or-treating, he said. . . .
When writing the legislation to make the sex offender registry
Bouchard pointed to the emotional and psychological scars that victims and their relatives bear their entire lives.
"My sympathy lies with the victim first. Since they can't quote, unquote 'move on,' why should the person that caused that pain be able to forget it?" he said.
-- Alan Stamm
