Men who are caught having sex with prostitutes in Brooklyn will be given a chance to avoid jail time – by going to “john school” instead.
The Brooklyn district attorney is offering the five-hour rehab course to first-time offenders starting this month.
“This is a one-shot deal to help rehabilitate johns,” said DA Charles Hynes, who vows to crack down on prostitution, which he says is plaguing Brooklyn neighborhoods such as East New York.
“If they get caught again, there will be no plea and a maximum of 90 days [in jail]. If they get arrested again, there will be no plea and they will go to trial. This is an opportunity for rehabilitation or jail.”
Those who opt for john school will be lectured by a former prostitute – to put “a face on the victims” – and be reminded of the health risks they impose on themselves and their families, Hynes said.
“They’ll recognize the horror it has on them and how it affects young women,” said Hynes.
The johns will have to answer 25 questions to determine whether they have a psychological problem, said Marnie White, a social worker who will be counseling the men.
“They’ll have to answer questions like, ‘Does soliciting prostitutes interfere with your daily life? Do you spend your money on pornography – more than you can afford?’ How much do you think about sex?’ ” said White.
The johns will also be asked if they have problems forming intimate relationships and whether the prostitutes they solicit are people with whom they’d normally interact.
“If they show to have a problem, we will be referring them for special therapy,” said White.
The johns who enroll pay a $250 fee and will have their case dismissed after six months. Approximately 1,000 johns are arrested in Brooklyn annually, Hynes said.
John schools are already being used in San Francisco, West Palm Beach, Fla., Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Washington, where they have reduced recidivism, Hynes said.