New Jersey Bans Internet for Sex Offenders

Stricter controls on convicted sex offenders will bar some from recreational use of the Internet.

Legislators in New Jersey have stepped up their state’s existing sanctions against convicted sex offenders with a new stipulation for some: restricted access to the Internet. According to the New York Times, a new bill enacted on Thursday will prevent certain paroled sex offenders from accessing the Internet for anything but work.

The law will apply to those offenders who used the Internet to help commit their original crimes, and also to those under lifetime supervision. While parolees who fall under the restrictions will be permitted to own computers, they will be forced to install monitoring software that can report back on their activities remotely, as well as submit to routine checks. The only permitted Internet use will be to find or perform a job.

New Jersey follows both Florida and Nevada in enacting restrictions on Internet access for sex offenders. Legislators who favor the bill see it as an update to Megan’s Law, which compels information about convicted sex offenders to be released to the community.