MARLA'S MUSINGS COLUMN: A lesson learned from 'Mikey'
By Marla Buchanan
Let me tell you a story about "little Mikey."
"Mikey and his mom were abandoned by his father when Mikey was a baby. Mikey's mom remarried, but her husband was an abusive character who would tease and beat him. Mikey's mom divorced that guy, and eventually married again. Mikey had been abused (in various ways) by an assortment of people during his growing-up years, causing him to rebel against authority and a society that had only showed indifference. Mikey and his new step-dad frequently butted heads. Mikey soon turned to drugs and alcohol as an escape. Mikey began to get into trouble with the law. Mikey went to jail..Mikey went to prison..."
This is a true story.
"Little Mikey," while in a boozed-up/drug-filled state, committed several rapes against adult women and spent much of his early adult life in prison. Mike was released in the late 1990's, and planned to get his life in order. He got a good job working as a mechanic on semi's. Mike tried to keep his nose clean. He never even got a traffic ticket.
Mike got involved with a young woman who was just days away from turning 18, who partied with him and slept with him. They went around afterward, laughing and having a good time, which was evident to many witnesses and a store video tape.
This girl was no angel, she had been around, but her mother went to the newspapers and complained. Mike was arrested.
Facing a "three strikes and you're out" situation, Mike pled guilty and was placed into the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services/Sexually Violent Persons Treatment and Detention Facility (then at Sheridan Correctional Center).
In a controversial law that has been in effect since January 1, 1998, a "sexually violent person" may be committed to the Department of Human Services for treatment, either in a secure facility (now in Joliet) or on conditional release (almost never happens), until he or she no longer meets the definition. Those committed are done so, indefinitely.
This law is a flagrant sanction of Double Jeopardy. Many of those committed having served their sentences, prepared to be released-only to find themselves in the grasp of DHS because "they might do it again". Child molesters and rapists are lumped together in housing, treatment, and as a media tool for supporters of this law.
And all of this "protecting" only costs the Illinois taxpayer over five figures (per "resident"), annually.
How do I know all of this?.. Why do I care? Because I used to work for DHS as a Security Therapy Aide Trainee (double-speak for Prison Guard).
I met Mike's mother after I left that job, and have traveled and spoken with people intimately involved with his case. I have also been in contact with senators and congressional representatives, as well as the ACLU in Chicago, and various attorneys who are challenging the constitutionality of this law. Regardless of anyone's personal opinion of sex offenders there are serious questions about its ethics.
To all of the students (and others) who plan to party hearty over the summer, be careful of whom you become intimately involved with. All it takes is a vindictive hottie with a fake I.D. (and a little semen), to ruin your life. Heed my words or you might just end up being a guest of DHS.
Enjoy your summer vacation.