Ex-sex offender could be working at school

| 03/04/2012

(CNS): A local activist has started an online petition to prevent some ex-offenders from working on school premises after concerns were raised last week that a convicted serious sex offender was employed via a private company at the Clifton Hunter campus. Sandra Catron says that the ex-Northward inmate has been employed by a private maintenance and landscaping firm that works on government school sites and he was seen working there recently. Wishing to draw attention to what she says is a potentially very dangerous situation, she has started an online petition asking government to implement a zero tolerance policy for offenders working in any public school.

“I was appalled to discover that a convicted child molester would be able to work on any school campus, whether directly or indirectly, with the Cayman Islands Government," Catron told CNS Monday. “This demonstrates a clear lack of concern and awareness regarding the serious natures of these offenders. Of all criminals that exists, a child molester is more likely to re-offend than any other.”

Catron, who is a long-time advocate of creating a local open register of sex-offenders to ensure this type of thing cannot happen, said government had a responsibility to keep all children from harm’s way and in particular from offenders that the authorities know about.

“There are so many that have not been discovered or convicted but those that have must be monitored carefully," she said. “I have no issue with this person getting employment but not around our children.”

Still campaigning for the register, which she says would be the ultimate protection for children, Catron emphasized how easy it appears to be for people to slip through the cracks when the authorities protect the identity of these offenders in a vain attempt to assist their victims.

“I am still hopeful that one day we will see the sex offenders registry taken seriously as it directly addresses issues such as proximity to children being yet another offence and prohibited.”

In the online petition Catron requests that all government schools introduce a zero tolerance for employing any persons with criminal records and in particular those that have been convicted of any sexual act or offence.

She asks that if there are any persons currently employed with the government schools directly or indirectly that have a conviction for any sexual crime they are immediately removed from their school duties and not allowed to be on school premises.  The petition also asks that everyone employed in the Cayman Islands Government school system be subject to proper background checks and police clearance.

CNS contacted the education ministry early Monday morning about the petition and fears that a sex-offender could have been working on a school campus. A spokesperson acknowledged the enquiry but so far officials have not made any comment about the ex-offender or the petition.

See on-line petition here

CNS note: In 2010 the George Hicks High School was renamed the Clifton Hunter High. While the new campus at Frank Sound is under construction, students attend the Clifton Hunter school at the old GHHS facility.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Why all you making comments have you signed the petition?

  3. Anonymous says:

    Does not matter to me which school it is or if they are open or not – the underlying issue here is what's important.

  4. Anonymous says:

    We should not have murderers or anyone with a criminal record in our schools at all to be honest but Ms. Catron makes a valid point here – child molesters are more likely to REOFFEND than any other group of criminals. That's not a matter of opinion – it's a fact. Google it if in doubt.

     

    http://www.vnews.com/sexcrimes/recidivism.htm

  5. Anonymous says:

    Get this animal away from our kids, and make it be known to all that it will not be tolerated!!!!!!  We also need to go a step further and start to inform our kids on how to react to predators who prey on their innocence.  Basic things….it's time we accept the fact that Cayman is no different from the rest of the world, we need to not turn our backs on the facts.  Just because we don't here it in the news every week doesn't mean that it's not happening. So talk to your kids.  Zero tolerance for people who take away the innocence of children.  I also tried to read the article that was linked to a viewers comments, it was so disturbing I couldn't even read all of it. 

  6. SAY WHAT??!! says:

    Zero Tolerence…. ?! What about NOT ALLOWED ON PREMISE PERIOD….!! Are we insane!! My daughter attends that school along with HUNDREDS of other FEMALE STUDENTS!!

  7. Serious says:

    My concern is that a sex offender is just as much a problem to the society as a Murderer, a Thief, a drug dealer or other,.  But these people can get a job.  Its a complicated story.  and I wish someone would discuss what is the difference, and how we can help offenders of all nature in the society.  How do they live?  I understand what Sandra says, and her points.  But what should we do with these people.

    I always believe there shouldbe an answer to every question.

    • Anonymous says:

      Help?  Are you serious, Serious?  Scumbags that prey on children should not be "helped" – they should be castrated, or locked up or deported – if they are status holders, send them back to their original country of citizenship.  If they are Caymanian and don't have another country to go to, then let everyone know who they are – so at least they can be identified.  They should lose all rights of a "good/normal life" and be mentally tortured for the rest of their life like the poor defenseless child they molested or raped ……….I believe in second chances for people, but not when it comes to sex offenders who hurt/prey on children.

      • Anonymous says:

        As most sex offenders were abused themselves in their youth, maybe you could suggest that we nip it in the bud an ‘torture and castrate’ the young victims BEFORE they grow up and start offending?

  8. Anonymous says:

    This is like giving a kid the key to a candy store.

    What are some people/employers thinking?

    No background checks by the schools either!

    If this had resulted in a child being molested or raped then those responsible for placing him in this situation of opportunity should be equally sentenced for their negligence!

    No if, ands or buts!

    Idiots!

  9. Anonymous says:

    We need a reality check in this country! Read this:

    http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Horrific_11166833

  10. Anonymous says:

    If you have the proof why not mention the name? No defamation of character in this case.

  11. Worried says:

    Who is looking out for Cayman's children if its not our schools and our education ministry?

    I'm concerned that anyone would believe that a petition is required to achieve this goal.  I would hope that the Government body in this case should immediately rectify this situation, aknowledge its failings and confirm that under no uncertain terms will this happen again.  Surely it is the job of our Government to keep our children safe and to perform such checks on former sex offenders and not to employ them where they are able to have direct contact with children.   Its a no brainer surely, the petition should not be necessary this, should be a point of law.  We should be able to send our children to school knowing that they will be safe and taken care of and free from contact with known sex-offenders.  Please someone from the education ministry let us know that either Ms Catron is mistaken or that the correct steps have already been taken to remove this individual from his position immediately.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Although I agree with the spirit of where she's coming from, there aren't currently any kids at the Clifton Hunter Campus, just cows, lizards, and firemen.

    • Anonymous says:

      Last time I drove past there was a sign saying "Clifton Hunter High School" – would that not indicate that there are children there – If memory serves me correctly, I think it was previously named John Gray High School…….. http://www.jghs.edu.ky/CliftonHunter.cfm?subpage=625437&adminActivate=1

    • Anonymous says:

      If a parent saw him at Clifton Hunter then how was that possible? He's likely working at other schools now anyway. So that's not the point! If he's there now he will be there when kids are there also. Clearly a HUGE oversight on someone's part and I appreciate this being brought to our attention.

      I'm not a parent so I have no idea if there are kids on campus and on which site etc.

    • Anonymous says:

      Let me clear it up for you. What used to be known as George Hicks High School or the Middle School is currently known as Clifton Hunter High School until the new school is completed in Frank Sound. 

  13. Anonymous says:

    I am thankful that Ms. Catron has brought this to our attention  am sorry regardless if he was  not hired by the school or not he is still around peoples children. Yes everyone is entitle to a second chance but with that conviction he should no be situated any where theirs children.

  14. Anonymous says:

    If you think twice about signing this petition, there is something wrong with you.  Protect our children, they rely on us adults to do just that.  Make sure sex offenders are well known so they cannot hurt anyone else.  Sorry, in my book, there is no such thing as human rights when people act like animals.

  15. Anonymous says:

    I thought that the Clifton Hunter campus was presently still under construction. Didn't realize they had opened already and had kids there……..

  16. Anonymous says:

    Yeaah – at least someone is thinking about the welfare fo these children, who are being Preyed upon (drugs/sex etc) left ang right….

    but are not being Prayed over, or talked with (not to), nearly enough!!!

    God Help Them!