h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Probabtion Service is part of the Home Office so in fairness he's not saying anything new. And much though I hate to say it, most people in CJS here in the UK will tell you the Probation Service has been pretty much unfit for purpose for much longer than the lifetime of this government, though they've not helped.

I suspect the issue about being searched is a bogus one being raised for some reason. I can't think of anything that prevents a police officer searching you if they have reasonable cause to believe you have committed an offence - which is the crucial point. No belief, no right to search.

And I'm sorry to say that there is no proof that Megan's Law will make the country any safer. In fact, some studies from the US are starting to suggest that in fact they make the situation worse as 'lower level' offenders who are seeking help and living in accomodation which is monitered are being driven out of such programmes and accomodation for fear of vigilanteism.

Much is being made of the Polic chief who suggested that we need to be careful who we label a paedophile - newspapers have blown what he said out of proportion, the fact is a paedophile is an ADULT who takes pleasure from regarding juveniles in a sexual situation - thus a paedophile doesn't even have to go near a child - its his tastes not his actions that defines him.

Similarly a 17 year old who has sex with a 15 year old (probably) isn't a paedophile.

One result of efforts to protect children (and others) from sex offenders:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/21/AR2006112101468.html