After reading this article, I might be against Pizzo getting parole. But it brings up a good subject: parole for sex offenders.
I spent over two years incarcerated for my crime. I was housed with other sex offenders. In that time, I only saw one sex offender get parole. In my hearing, I had a good a good case for parole. I had over thirty letters from friends, family, and community leaders supporting my parole. I had three letters of job offers upon my release. I had a home with a good support system to go to. But it was obvious during my hearing that the parole board administrator was barely listening to me. She had her mind made up.
Is this fair? Of course not. The parole board obviously treats sex offenders differently than most other criminals. Those up for parole for drug offenses, a crime much more likely to be recommitted, parole is given all the time.
What is the problem then? To answer that, look at these two situations: a drug dealer is given parole and a week later is arrested for dealing drugs. Or, a person convicted of indecent exposure (a sex offense) is given parole and a week later is arrested for indecent exposure. Both are fairly serious crimes. Which do you think is going to get more media attention? I don't think the drug dealer would get any. The sex offender, on the other hand, will be the top local news story on every station.
So, what it comes down to is the parole board protecting themselves not the public.
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