For one, the idea that no sex offenders can live near a school, day care, church or park can leave many people with a false sense of security. But just because sex offenders cannot live across from a park or day care, doesn’t mean they are not allowed to bike or walk by on a regular basis. Similarly, just because they are not allowed to live in your neighborhood doesn’t mean they cannot visit.

On top of that, the Department of Corrections has repeatedly warned that if you prohibit sex offenders from living almost everywhere, you often end up with more homeless sex offenders. Then you really don’t know if there is a sex offender living on your block, because the person technically doesn’t have a residence.

If someone commits a crime as heinous and damaging as a sexual assault, especially of a child, that child and family may ever get over that crime. It will haunt them for life and there should be serious consequences for sex offenders, including prison time.

But after those offenders have served their time behind bars and are allowed to re-enter society, they should be given a chance in society.