As noted in today’s Press Herald, the department of corrections in the state of Maine had planned to list online information on all state prison inmates and others who are on probation — roughly 10,000 people.
As the paper reported: “Officials see it as an aid to police, who would have up-to-date and instant information on a suspect's probation status, and to crime victims, who could find out whether perpetrators are behind bars.”
Not so fast, said Governor Baldacci. He wants a thorough public review prior to this website going live.
The Maine Civil Liberties Union expressed concern that the site would include “those who represent little or no threat to society.”
Hmmm … is it okay to list serious offenders but not appropriate to list those who represent only a “little” threat to society? And who decides who should be included with the more serious offenses?
Is a repeated drunk driver only a “little” threat? What about someone who is serving probation for domestic violence — serious offender or not? Do we have a blanket policy of only listing those convicted of felonies?
Does your state have a registry and if so, what inmates are listed?
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