Senator Alesi Legislation Bars Sex Offenders From Community And Temporary Release Programs

James S. Alesi

Senator Jim Alesi (R/C-Perinton) today announced that the Senate passed a bill (S.6366), which he sponsors, that bars sex offenders from participating in community service programs for state correctional institutions and county jail work release programs.

This legislation is in response to an instance where a prisoner, doing community service at a hospital in Wyoming County, allegedly raped a 17 year old girl. Community service provided this sex offender with the opportunity to rape again.

"Our citizens are not protected when sexual predators are allowed into our neighborhoods with only limited supervision," said Senator Alesi. "Recidivism for sex offenders is among the highest for all criminals and work release programs increase the chance for a repeat offense to occur while a sex offender is still serving time. My bill will eliminate any possibility for an offender to commit a crime in the community while incarcerated."

Senator Alesi has championed several efforts to curtail the activities of these dangerous criminals. In the 2006 Legislative Session, Senator Alesi has sponsored and passed legislation to increase penalties for providing false and fraudulent information on the State Sex Offender Registry as well as legislation to place residency requirements on where sex offenders can reside upon release from prison.