It may be Halloween , but the Tennessee Department of Corrections will be conducting Operation Blackout on those on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. It has been recently reported about the increased scrutiny that Tennessee Sex Offenders will be facing on Halloween. For example, here is a partial list of prohibited activities;
- No decorations may be displayed. Not even a pumpkin is allowed.
- A curfew from 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.
- No attendance at any haunted houses, corn mazes or other Halloween events.
- No porch lights are allowed and the door cannot be answered.
A violation of these rules could result in a violation of Tennessee’s sex offender laws and land you in jail. The legal issue is whether these severe rules related to preventing sex abuse cases. It appears there is always some relationship between a sex offender and the victim. Family, social or school relationships are the most common. Civil libertarians are concerned about the loss of civil liberties. In Delaware, a sex offender must post a sign that tells trick or treaters that no candy is here. Sex offender laws have their place but are we driving those on the Tennessee Sex Offenders underground.