The Chicago Tribune has an interesting article about Illinois sex offenders in nursing homes. According to the article, most sex offenders who live in nursing homes are not listed on the registry. From the article:
Under Illinois law, families researching nursing homes are directed to search a state police Web site for critical information about sex offenders living in the facilities.
But only 59 of the 192 sex offenders in Illinois nursing homes -- or less than one in three -- were listed on that online state registry, a Tribune investigation found.
The shortfall is especially acute in Chicago, where fewer than one in five sex offenders in nursing homes were posted on the state police Web site, the Tribune found.
Part of the problem is a gap in the law: Although some sex offenders can remain dangerous for decades if unmonitored and untreated, many are no longer required to register with police if their convictions or final parole dates occurred more than 10 years ago.
In addition, state investigators have documented more than a dozen instances since 2007 in which nursing homes failed to notify local law enforcement that they housed a convicted sex offender, as required by law, or failed to implement care plans to monitor and treat sex offenders inside the facilities, the Tribune found.
In some cases those offenders allegedly went on to molest vulnerable residents and even staff, according to state public health reports.
But only 59 of the 192 sex offenders in Illinois nursing homes -- or less than one in three -- were listed on that online state registry, a Tribune investigation found.
The shortfall is especially acute in Chicago, where fewer than one in five sex offenders in nursing homes were posted on the state police Web site, the Tribune found.
Part of the problem is a gap in the law: Although some sex offenders can remain dangerous for decades if unmonitored and untreated, many are no longer required to register with police if their convictions or final parole dates occurred more than 10 years ago.
In addition, state investigators have documented more than a dozen instances since 2007 in which nursing homes failed to notify local law enforcement that they housed a convicted sex offender, as required by law, or failed to implement care plans to monitor and treat sex offenders inside the facilities, the Tribune found.
In some cases those offenders allegedly went on to molest vulnerable residents and even staff, according to state public health reports.
"In some cases those offenders allegedly went on to molest vulnerable residents and even staff, according to state public health reports."
Right, because alleged abuse of residents and staff by registered sex offenders doesn't get investigated by law enforcement.
"Although some sex offenders can remain dangerous for decades if unmonitored and untreated, many are no longer required to register with police if their convictions or final parole dates occurred more than 10 years ago."
What a horribly written article. Scare tactics and weasel words abound.
Posted by: Dave | December 28, 2009 at 01:08 PM