April 17, 2009

Critical public safety measure left in limbo as policy deadline looms
Bill to end viewing of pornography by committed sex offenders being ignored

After a detailed report of 147 instances of inmates at McNeil Island Sex Offender Special Commitment Center accessing pornography on personal and facility computers, Senate Bill 5218 was introduced to prohibit the activity. Of the instances, 34 involved inmates accessing child pornography.

Rep. Kirk Pearson, lead Republican on public safety issues, today was angry that despite unanimous passage of the bill in the Senate, it is now hung up in the House. He requested the legislation be placed on the House floor calendar for a vote prior to the Friday, April 17, 5 p.m. policy cut off. That is the last day to vote on legislation other than budget-related measures.

"Why would we have the worst of the worst sex offenders, who have been involuntarily committed in a secure facility, viewing lewd depictions of anyone, let alone a child, and not put a stop to it? This is a simple and reasonable measure to put safeguards in place," said Pearson. "It's a no-brainer."

Pearson said the measure is running out of time and hopes the public will contact their representatives and ask House leadership and the chair of the public safety committee to allow legislators to vote on it.

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