CPS Scandal

Marjie Lundstrom and Sam Stanton, in the March 22 Sacramento Bee's "Dozens in CPS Have Criminal Records", write that many of those working for Sacramento County's Child Protective Services have criminal backgrounds. An investigation by the Sacramento Bee uncovered that out of the agency's 969 workers, employed as of Oct. 1, 68 individuals have criminal records in Sacramento County.

I struggled a bit with this article only because, while the information uncovered was disturbing to say the least, it raises the question, can anyone truly be rehabilitated after having been convicted of a criminal offense and if so, does our society ever really believe that they can re-enter the mainstream?

While many of us cringe at the fact that 7 percent of CPS staffers have been convicted of a crime, I think that it is important that we try to consider both angles of the issue. I know, how can I even question whether or not convicted criminals should be dealing with some of our most vulnerable of citizens, children? I certainly don't think they should, but I challenged myself to be fair and consider the inconsiderable.

I was shocked by the crimes that some of CPS's workers have been convicted of; possession of heroin for sale, theft, embezzlement, spousal abuse, obstructing an officer, prostitution and identity theft to name a few. In my view, no one who has been convicted of a crime should be interacting with children or troubled families.

I also agree with Robert Wilson, executive director of Sacramento Child Advocates, whose attorneys represent children in dependency court, and his assessment that those in roles of leadership have failed to demand accountability among their ranks. What I find troubling is the sensationalist angle of the article and how it insinuates that once a criminal always a criminal.