Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of Mar 2023. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil. This section is not intended for posting links to news articles without additional relevant comment.
Read MoreDay: March 1, 2023
Janice’s Journal: SCOTUS Made a Terrible Mistake
The U. S. Supreme Court made a terrible mistake 20 years ago. As a result of that mistake, millions of Americans who are required to register and their families have been harmed, some even killed by vigilantes. The mistake to which I refer is the decision, Smith v. Doe, in which the Court found that the requirement to register was the same as applying for membership in Price Club. That registration is an administrative requirement, not punishment, and therefore new sex offender laws could be passed and applied retroactively. The…
Read MoreCA Zoom Summit: Re-Entry Against the Odds, March 28, 30
Source: Friends Outside of Los Angeles County Reentry Against the Odds is a two-day online Zoom summit for service providers, government officials, elected officials, registrants, and community members which will focus on better understanding of this reentry population to better address the needs of these individuals, both for their and society’s benefit. An educational opportunity and conversation about registrants (often referred to as “290’s” or “Sex Offenders”). Often maligned, their recidivism rates are very low. This population experiences increased negative public opinion and lack of systemic supports Registrants experience increased…
Read MoreCA: New Bill To Prevent The Covert Release Of Sexually Violent Predators Into Communities
Source: californiaglobe.com 2/28/23 A bill to help prevent the covert releasing of Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) into communities across the state was formally introduced into the Senate on Monday. Senate Bill 832, authored by Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego) would aim to make the highest criteria of any potential placement of an SVP be that of public safety. The bill, also known as the Sexually Violent Predator Accountability, Fairness, and Enforcement Act (SAFE Act), would also require the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to take ownership in the placement process…
Read MoreWA: Supreme Living Backs Off Plans for Sex Offender Housing Near Tenino
Source: chronline.com 2/28/23 Supreme Living announced on its website Tuesday that it no longer plans to house sex offenders at a housing facility in south Thurston County near Tenino. The decision came after outcry and outrage from residents and government officials caught off guard by the plans. “Supreme Living announced today that due to resources and expenses associated with land use requirements, it will not proceed with providing supportive housing services at its Tenino property,” Supreme Living Management wrote. “Supreme Living values its relationship with the Department of Social and…
Read MoreNY: Putnam man acquitted of raping, murdering 12-year-old girl after two decades in prison
Source: nypost.com 2/28/23 A Putnam County man convicted more than 20 years ago for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl was vindicated Monday when jurors acquitted him during his second trial tied to the grisly case. Carmel man Andrew Krivak was found not guilty of the awful attack after spending more than two decades behind bars, and more than six years after his co-defendant and friend, Anthony DiPippo, was acquitted of the same crime. Krivak and DiPippo were accused of raping and killing Carmel teen Josette Wright in…
Read MoreHow SCOTUS Promoted Pernicious Myths About Sex Offender Registries
Source: reason.com 3/1/23 This Sunday marks the 20th anniversary of Smith v. Doe, a Supreme Court decision that approved the retroactive application of Alaska’s sex offender registry, deeming it preventive rather than punitive. That ruling helped propagate several pernicious myths underlying a policy that every state has adopted without regard to its justice or effectiveness. Writing for the majority in Smith, Justice Anthony Kennedy took it for granted that collecting and disseminating information about people convicted of sex offenses made sense as a public safety measure. But that premise was…
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