Wednesday, January 11, 2017

TexASS HB 821 will prevent inmates convicted of sex offenses from seeking prison penpals

I can't imagine why this law is even necessary, other than to win a Shiitake Award for Texas.

http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/No-pen-pals-Texas-seeks-to-restrict-letters-to-10847341.php

Texas legislator aims to block sex offenders from getting pen pals
Brett Barrouquere Published 12:05 pm, Tuesday, January 10, 2017

It's a common refrain online: An inmate posts a want ad seeking a pen pal while describing themselves in the most flattering terms someone behind bars can come up with. The inmates often described the loneliness of being incarcerated. But, few, if any, ever disclose why they are behind bars on sites like WriteAPrisoner.com or Prisoninmatepenpal.com. Someone choosing to correspond with them could end up writing to a person convicted of most any crime.

But, that may be a bit more limited under House Bill 821 as lawmakers return to Austin on Tuesday to begin the next legislative session. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, would require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to impose rules barring anyone required to register as a sex offender from advertising for a pen pal. The legislation doesn't impose a penalty on any inmate who violates the proposed rule. It appears that would be left up to the prison system. So, the lonely existence of an imprisoned sex offender may soon become even more solitary.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/DocViewer.aspx?ID=85RHB008211B&QueryText=%22821%22&DocType=B

By: Shaheen H.B. 821

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT relating to the solicitation of pen pals by certain inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 500, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 500.009 to read as follows:
     
Sec. 500.009.  PEN PAL SOLICITATION PROHIBITED. (a) This section applies only to an inmate confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department who is serving a sentence for an offense for which registration as a sex offender is required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(b)  The department shall adopt a policy that prohibits an inmate described by Subsection (a) from placing an advertisement soliciting a pen pal on an Internet website operated for that purpose, regardless of whether another person submits or pays for the advertisement for the inmate.

SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2017, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall adopt the policy required by Section 500.009, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

2 comments:

  1. Its all about Horseshoe Theory Oncefallen this is why Trolls are more powerful than you think. http://whysjwwhy.tumblr.com/post/64545090535/10-similarities-between-conservatives-and-radical

    The Horseshoe Theory states simply that, as you get more and more extreme with respect to a political view (ex: more and more left-wing), you “horseshoe” back around and your actions become similar to that of your philosophical opposite (ex: begin acting more right-wing).

    TW: Generalizations

    Generally tend to be middle class+ and white.
    They believe women have no sexual agency — conservatives believe the man should make the decisions, and radical feminists believe that the patriarchy makes women straight, and they couldn’t possibly like having sex with men.
    Furthermore, both oppose any amount of kink and claim bdsm is harmful.
    Both believe in compulsory sexuality — conservatives believe everyone should be straight, and radfems believe all women should be gay.
    Both believe that anyone who doesn’t agree with them on topics regarding rape are lying about it happening and should have vulgar acts done to them.
    Both groups are racist as hell, and often resort to the “I have a black friend!” excuse. Both will vehemently deny being racist, too. Conservatives will talk about how the Republican party is the party of Lincoln, and radical feminists will talk about how the first radical feminists were black.
    Both hate trans* people with a burning passion and think they’re a fake man/woman who is trying to “invade” or take over.
    Both think porn is evil and a scourge on society.
    Both believe consent doesn’t exist and that, even if two adults consent, a sexual act can be immoral and harmful to other parties.
    Both hate, hate, hate, hate gay men. Conservatives view them…well, we know how they view them. Radical feminists believe they are
    Bonus: Both believe men can’t be raped.

    (via )

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  2. Every human deserve communication. We are social creatures. I dont care what you did. You do a crime, you do the time. Prison is punishment. They take everything from you even your identity. Part of rehabilitation is support. Take that away and you isolate. You make that person worse off. If the person finds out hes a sex offender then dont write back. A murderer can be just as Maliplutive, a thief. Why a sex offender,singled out. So what your saying is Texas doesnt want sex offenders to have supportive contact to the outside world. I am a sex offender. I write to other sex offenders in prison. Texas feeling some political pressures. There are 750,000 registered sex offenders from all walks of life. Some made poor decisions dating a minor2 years younger then they are. Now you've done. Children are now on the registry. Why is it you think when people make mistakes prison is the only option. Help people, but your only interested in destroying families. You dont have a solution. When you mess with people long enough. It will come back and bite you. Weve had enough of your bullying.

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