Unfortunately, Winfrey failed to distinguish between violent sex offenders like Duncan and what we dismissively call low-level sex offenders, like a 21-year-old who's guilty of having consensual sex with a 17-year-old. Or a one-time offender who fondled someone while drunk. Or flashers. Or Peeping Toms. They all make our skin crawl. But experts say low-level offenders are far less likely to reoffend than violent Level 3 ex-convicts. Winfrey's right that the most serious offenders should have little or no wiggle room to get back on the streets. But she painted with a brush too broad in lumping these criminals together.

For the rest of my editorial today re: Oprah Winfrey's show with Steve Groene, click here.

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