The new federal farm law signed this month by President Obama prevents some sex offenders from getting food stamps, says the Austin American-Statesman. Sex offenders, under prohibitions on where they live and what work they can find, may find themselves in need of that assistance. Citing a case in Texas, the newspaper notes that some sex offenders can be rehabilitated.
Some federal restrictions on government aid to felons may be reasonable, says the American-Statesman: Drug addicts could use food stamps to buy drugs. Placing sex offenders in public housing might place other tenants at risk. Extending government aid to wanted criminals could delay their apprehension. This doesn’t apply to all sex offenders, however.