‘Unthinkable and unacceptable’
Published: August 21, 2009
I would like to voice my opinion on school board chairman Harry Wayne Parrish with regard to his friend and fellow former educator (in prison for sexual relations with a middle school student) and his view that everyone deserves a second chance.
When does the young girl that this man violated get her second chance to innocence? Never. It is gone forever thanks to an adult who was supposed to be an example to young people by showing self-control and concern for the well-being of his students.
If you check with any of the officers who handle sex abuse cases, you will learn that 99 percent of the suspects are repeat offenders. Do we want to take a chance that this man is in the 1 percent that would not be a repeat offender?
It is unthinkable and unacceptable for a former teacher and high school coach who is seeking a position on the school board to think this way.
Mr. Parrish has let the public and the youth of Dothan down. He is not the person we need associated with the children of Dothan. I am disappointed that so many people in Dothan support him by displaying his sign in their yards.
Vote for Gayla White. She would never hold up a person who committed such a deplorable act against a child.
Ellen Harris
Dothan
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Reader Reactions
Harry Wayne Parrish is by far the best choice for our school board. He has the experience, integrity and intelligence needed to get us back on track!
He also has a stellar track record when it comes to his work experience. Ask Gayla for her resume before you determine she’s the right one for the job.
Harry Wayne Parrish is a stellar member of our community. He has integrity, intelligence and works diligently at all tasks he’s confronted with. HWP will be a tremendous asset to our school board!
VOTE HWP on Tuesday!
I don’t know the statistics on repeat sex offenders. I do know Harry Wayne Parrish and I know him well enough to know that the he would be in way over his head as chairperson of the board of education. While I have tremendous respect for his abilities as a football coach, we are not discussing the X’s and O’s of football, we are talking about the person that will chair the board responsible for making policy for our city schools and our kids deserve better than coach Parrish.
I do not want MY child to be the “ second chance”- if it were anything else but our children I would agree that an individual does deserve forgiveness and second chances - but damaging a child- any child - is unforgiveable- speak for yourself when you say he deserves a second chance- he is a preditor and has already struck once- I will not be giving him a chance to prove himself with my child as an experimental sacrifice.
Everyone has their own opinion and choices, as far as this person putting her choice on a pedestal is really funny! I met White one time and she was rude and self-centered and by no means did she act professional as she should have. She should have remembered that first impressions are everything!!
Exactly how many officers did you interview to come to the conclusion that 99% of all suspects are repeat offenders? Not only is that completely inaccurate, but putting such false information in print is highly irresponsible. I would recommend that everyone educated themselves on the facts before condemning others for life.
You know what they say about opinions…
Opinions are not facts. The cold hard fact is our panic over *ex offenders far exceed the actual threat. The vast majority have learned their lesson and will not re-offend. Alabama has tried to make it impossible to obtain a second chance because it makes Troy King et al look good to the voters, but they are backfiring. If you want the truth about *ex offenders, the same stuff the legislators don’t tell you, check out www.oncefallen.com
Ellen,
You claimed 99% of sexual abusers re-offend, where did you get this information from?
Please give your direct source.
The REAL recidivism statistics are 5.5%-8.5% depending on what part of the country you are looking at. And I can give you all sorts of places to find this accurate information unlike the total lie you have told in your editorial or should I say election motivated propaganda.
• No Easy Answers: Human Rights Watch Study, September 11, 2007
• The Adam Walsh Act: Scarlet Letter by Lara Geer Farley, April 17, 2008
• Fact Sheets Examine Impact of Sex Offender Registries: Justice Policy Institute, September 22, 008
• Collateral Damage: Family Members of Registered Sex Offenders by Jill Levenson Ph.D. January 2009
• Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies: Final Report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking of State Attorneys General of the United States. December 31, 2008
• Residential Proximity to Schools and Daycare Centers: Influence on Sex Offense Recidivism, An empirical analysis by Jill Levenson Ph.D. December 23, 2008
• New Jersey DOC Study on the Effectiveness of Sex Offender Registration February 11, 2009
• Registering Harm: How Sex Offender Registries Fail Youth and Communities, Justice Policy Institute November 21, 2008
A new book written by Dr. Richard Wright titled Sex Offender Laws: Failed Polices, New Directions concludes that the proliferation of “Sex Offender” Legislation over the past 20 years in America that were meant to memorialize an assaulted, murdered or missing child have largely failed. They have NOT reduced Sex Offender recidivism rates (5.5%), provided safety, healing or support for victims, reflected the scientific research on sexual victimization, offending and risk or provided successful strategies for prevention.
Learn the facts instead of spreading false hysteria.
www.rsolvirginia.org
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