[richmond.com – 9/29/19] The “lock ’em up and throw away the key” era of criminal justice is over. Virginians have reassessed their views on criminal justice to better address mass incarceration weighed against costs and the likelihood to reoffend. Policies ripe for reform include: resentencing prisoners who were convicted as youth; repealing mandatory minimums; legalizing marijuana; abolishing the death penalty; ending solitary; reinstating parole; ending cash bail; and creating alternatives to incarceration. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has a strong track record of criminal justice reform. But there’s one enforcement…
Read MoreMonth: September 2019
NC: Sheriff warns sex offenders to stay away from the fair
Men and women on the sex offender registry know they’re supposed to avoid areas where children are, but the local sheriff wants to be sure that’s top of mind now that the Cleveland County Fair has opened. Full Article
Read MoreNE: Nebraska sex offenders testify for change in registry law
[journalstar.com – 9/27/19] Twenty-eight people who were registered sex offenders, or the wife, mother, father, brother or counselor of sex offenders, lined up to give testimony to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Friday, asking for changes to the Nebraska registry law. The Judiciary Committee embarked on a study of the sex offender registry law over the interim to determine if changes are needed and, if so, what they should be. The registered offenders told the committee about how the registry created life-altering situations in which they couldn’t get jobs, or…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: TN Man Avoids Registry for Second Time
A Tennessee man accused of sexual offenses for the second time, has once again avoided the registry. In 2004, ______ was accused of allegedly molesting a 15 yr. old that had been hired to babysit his children. ______ denied molesting the girl but stated he pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless aggravated assault and a misdemeanor, to spare his family (he is the father of 3) and because his attorney at that time had advised him it was in his best interest. He was sentenced to 3 yrs. probation…
Read MoreCanada: Top court to rule if mentally ill must be on sex-offender registry
[thespec.com – 9/26/19] The federal government is challenging an appeal court decision that found that the registry reinforces a stereotype that those who commit criminal acts while mentally ill never change and pose a permanent risk. News Sep 26, 2019 by Colin Perkel The Canadian Press TORONTO — The Supreme Court of Canada will have final say on the validity of laws requiring sex offenders to register when an accused is granted an absolute discharge after being found not criminally responsible. In a decision on Thursday, the high court said…
Read MoreJanice’s Journal: The Big Picture
I founded California Reform Sex Offender Laws, the predecessor of the Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) eight years ago in September 2011. I did so after reading the book, “We’re All in This Together”, by Frank Lindsay who was convicted of a single sex offense in 1979. My decision to create this organization was based upon the outrage I experienced after learning that not only Frank’s civil rights, but the civil rights of a large group of people in this country were being violated every day, 24 hours…
Read MoreWI: Sun Prairie 17-year-old charged with 2 felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting teammate
[channel3000.com – 9/26/19] MADISON, Wis. – A Sun Prairie teenager has been charged for an alleged incident in August when deputies said he sexually assaulted his football teammate. ______, 17, appeared in Dane County Court on Thursday, where he was charged with felony second-degree sexual assault, felony sexual exploitation of a child through filming and misdemeanor battery. In court Thursday morning, the judge ordered ____ to not have any contact with the other teens involved in the incident, not disseminate any pictures or video of the alleged victim online or…
Read MoreCA: County jail inmates announce hunger strike to protest ‘price gouging’
[calaverasenterprise.com – 9/25/19] Seventeen inmates at the Calaveras County Jail have announced their plan to initiate a hunger strike in protest of “outrageous prices” for telephone calls and commissary items including soup and ramen noodles. “Not only are we afflicted, but our families as well,” the inmates wrote in a letter to the Enterprise. “We have made attempts at every other level to have this situation resolved, to no avail. We are hoping that the public can get involved and know the real situation that is going on here.” advertisement…
Read MoreEngland: Kirkby residents protest outside home of sex offender living near to primary school
[nottinghampost.com – 9/25/19] Residents of Kirkby-in-Ashfield are protesting outside the home of a man awaiting sentence over historical child sexual offences who lives near a primary school. ______, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault of children under 16 – taking place in the 2000s – at Nottingham Crown Court on September 9 and has been bailed to live at his home while he awaits sentencing. Members of the community have been organising peaceful protests since September 21 and say they do not want ____living so near to…
Read MoreTN: Five year old autistic boy accused of being a sex offender
[mynbc5.com – 9/25/19] According to WTVC, East Ridge Elementary said the child overstepped his boundaries, but the boy’s mother insists he doesn’t know any better. Advertisement Summery Putnam, Nathan’s mom, said she received a call from her son’s teacher about three weeks ago. “I was sick to my stomach because first of all don’t you understand he’s a 5-year-old? He’s a child?” Putnam said. “The teacher called me and she said, ‘You need to have a talk with Nathan about boundaries.’” Putnam said Nathan’s autism makes it difficult for him…
Read MoreSouth Africa: Making Sexual Offenders Registry Public a Recipe for Disaster – Legal Expert
[allafrica.com – 9/24/19] Following the high prevalence of violence against women and children in the month of August, the question over whether the sexual offenders registry should be open to the public has been brought to the fore. Social movement Amandla.Mobi has petitioned Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to “make the sex offenders list publicly accessible online and on mobile platforms that anyone can easily access”. The petition was created 18 days ago with the goal of garnering 8 000 signatures. To date, the organisation has collected 7 842 signatures. This…
Read MoreOH: Continued sharing of images ‘worse than actual abuse’ for child pornography victim
[wcpo.com – 9/24/19] CINCINNATI — ‘Solomon’ was sexually assaulted for the first time during an overnight trip in Kentucky. He was 8 years old. “I don’t have a legacy that doesn’t involve being raped as a child,” Solomon told the WCPO I-Team. Solomon said his abuser also took photos and videos of him posing naked, then sold them online. Those images can still be found online, according to documents that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Ohio filed in child pornography cases. “It’s worse than the actual abuse I…
Read MoreOR: “Say More About That” Show Notes: Episode #30 – The bias against sex offenders
[therapyden.com – 9/22/19] Today, I talk to fellow therapist Taunya Gesner about her experience working with sexual offenders. We discuss what attracted her to this population and why she feels strongly about speaking up for them. We talk about therapist’s automatic bias about the population. We dive into my bias about how there is a part of me that thinks sexual offenders are evil. (Spoiler alert, they’re not all evil.) We discuss misconception the public has about them and how it’s incredibly difficult to find a good job and adequate…
Read MoreMA: O’Connell sponsors bill to prevent sex offender name change
[tauntongazette.com – 9/19/19] TAUNTON – State Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton, wants to put an end to what she calls a loophole that allows registered sex offenders to legally change their names. O’Connell, who is running in this year’s Taunton mayoral race, filed legislation a week ago to prohibit convicted sex offenders from changing their name to hide their identity. She said that more than a dozen cosponsors in the House signed the bill that she says in the end will protect children and families. A story last January by Boston…
Read MoreACSOL Emotional Support Group Meetings Available: Sat, Sept 28 in L.A.; Most Thursdays in Sac; Monthly on the phone
Emotional Support Group meetings will be held for those convicted of a sex offense and their loved ones. This meeting, which is based upon the format of 12 Step meetings, provides registrants and their loved ones with an opportunity to discuss personal challenges and share their experiences, strengths and hopes, with each other. Attendance is limited to individuals required to register, family members, and friends. Media, law enforcement, parole, etc. are not allowed to attend meetings. There is no cost to attend. No reservations are required. Face-to-face and phone emotional…
Read MoreCA: Can Sex Offenders Legally Live Next Door To Schools?
[sacramento.cbslocal.com – 9/19/19] An Olivehurst Grandmother is furious after learning that a sex offender is living just feet away from her neighborhood elementary school. “I’m concerned about people not being aware of the sex offenders in the area,” said Robyn Gorham. Gorham says she was stunned to find out how many sex offenders lived just down the street from Cedar Lane Elementary, where her grandson is set to attend. “There are parents here and I don’t think they’re aware of what’s right in our neighborhood,” said Gorham. A quick search…
Read MoreACSOL Makes Presentation to CA Sex Offender Management Board
ACSOL President Chance Oberstein and ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci made a presentation to the California Sex Offender Management Board during the board’s monthly meeting on September 19. During their presentation, the ACSOL leaders informed the board about changes needed to the Tiered Registry and asked the board to support those changes. Also during the meeting, CASOMB members reported on the number of registrants in the state. The Tiered Registry should be modified to allow individuals convicted of child pornography (CP) offenses to be removed from Tier 3 which requires…
Read MoreFL: Sex offender jailed after not moving to Georgia
A convicted sex offender who notified authorities he was moving to Georgia last month but never made the trip was charged with failing to report he was still in Ocala. Full Article
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