Judiciary Committee approves Sen. Stanley’s legislation
to protect public from sexual predators on work release

NASHVILLE, TN, April 4, 2008) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation, sponsored by Senator Paul Stanley (R-Germantown),  that makes prisoners convicted of sexual offenses ineligible for work release.  The bill, SB 3162, applies to sex offenders housed in local jails, private prisons or state correctional facilities.

“Sex offenders should not be allowed the privilege of being able to go back out into the public on work release,” said Senator Stanley.  “It is too big a risk to take for the safety of our citizens.”

Studies show that sex offenders are rarely, if ever, rehabilitated.  This is one of the reasons Tennessee and other states have set up sex offender registries.

“We don’t need to take a chance on a sex offender having the opportunity to commit this offense again while serving time for this crime,” Stanley added.  “The public safety should come first and that is what this bill will do.”

###