This is a great example of good debate material. Over the course of living some 45 plus years, I've discovered that superlatives like "all" or "none" or "best" or "worst" rarely work out for the person making the description. Ordinarily, for the protection of children and other vulnerable members of society, this would seem an easy question to answer. Sure, all sex offenders should register as such to protect others. But, it really isn't that easy. I will recount for you a true case and you can tell me if society is better off with this person as a registered sex offender.
I work as a case manager for persons with developmental disabilities. 90% of the people on my case load have housing and services in place and I simply monitor how well they're being served. A few of the people on my case load are still seeking services and I assist them with finding appropriate agencies to serve them and applying for the funding involved in said services. It is one of these cases that is the source of my story.
When I first met him, this client of mine almost didn't even seem eligible for the services. He drives a car. He's quite verbal. He presents himself as reasonably intelligent. However, he did present to me a psychological exam stating that he has an IQ of 65. By definition, he has mild mental retardation and, by definition, has a developmental disability. He's also a registered sex offender. Here's the reason he's registered.
A year and a half ago, an acquaintance of his gave him a used computer. On the computer was some software that was already built in that led to some pornographic web sites. Curiosity got the best of him and he checked out one of these sites. He liked some of what he saw and ordered a video. Unbeknownst to him, the video featured some under-aged girls. Without understanding the consequences, he had ordered child pornography. I don't know if the police were monitoring this web site or, exactly how anyone found out what he had ordered, but he got arrested for engaging in child pornographic commerce. Since he had a clean record he essentially did no jail time and received a sentence including ten years probation. And, of course, he had to register as a sex offender.
Now, this fellow, who is a very concrete thinker, has followed all the rules since receiving his sentence. He sees his probation officer at least once per month. He was told to stay away from schools, libraries, playgrounds and anywhere that children may often frequent. For a long while, he would not even go visit a particular cousin who lived in an apartment complex that had a playground on the premises. After discussing it with his probation officer, it was decided that he could visit the cousin, but he stays away from the playground.
The point is, he is trying to do everything right in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, because he is a registered offender, he is unable to find work. No one will hire him because of the registry. Historically, he has worked simple construction jobs. Though he cannot effectively read, he can follow a picture diagram and is thought of as a good hard worker. Now, because of his disability, he is entitled to draw Social Security Disability Income. He is entitled to Medicaid, because he has no assets. Because he has diabetes, he needs Medicaid to help pay for his medications.
The worst part of all this is, he really wants to work. When he has a job, he is known to work hard with few complaints. He'll do any job asked of him. But, now because of the offender registry, he is unable to work and is, effectively, on the public dole. So, is society better off with this young man registered as a sex offender? You tell me.
I understand that this is a rare case and the overwhelming majority of registered sex offenders will repeat their offenses if not properly monitored. But, the question is worded, "Should ALL sex offenders have to register?" Given this knowledge (and there has to be other similar cases out there), I'd have to say the short answer to the question is no.