The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) filed an application today for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that, if granted, would stop the exclusion of all registrants from early prison release granted by the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The basis for the releases is to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 infections for both prisoners and staff.
“CDCR has declared that the lives of registrants are worth less than the lives of others by categorically and unjustifiably excluding registrants from its efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in state prisons,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “The categorical exclusion of registrants is arbitrary and irrational, and therefore violates the equal protection guarantee of the California Constitution, as well as CDCR’s discretionary authority under state law.”
The TRO application filed today is in addition to a lawsuit filed on June 22 in Los Angeles Superior Court that challenges CDCR’s announced plan to start releasing prisoners on July 1, provided that they were convicted of a nonviolent, non-serious, non-domestic violence offenses and have less than 180 days left to serve.
“CDCR’s exclusion of registrants from release includes individuals in prison who are currently serving a prison term for a non-sex offense but who were convicted of a sex offense in the past, even 30 years ago,” stated ACSOL President Chance Oberstein.
According to the TRO application, registrants who could be released by CDCR do not pose a greater danger to society that those convicted of another offense. In fact, the rate of re-offense for registrants on parole is less than 1 percent, according to a recent CDCR report.
A court hearing, to be held telephonically, is scheduled to be heard on June 30. If the TRO is granted, CDCR will be required to release registrants on the same terms as those not convicted of a sex offense.
Thank you, Janice and all at ACSOL, for your continued tenacity in fighting for the human rights of registrants. I pray that this TRO is granted!
Release is always a positive word, Now I’m no Marcus Wellbe or Madlock but true justice is still fair, unbiased, and honorable. Sure if justice had biblical value or some form of christianity in government today thats a plus and many wouldn’t be locked up in prisons or would be released on good behavior merits considering the ordeal. One can’t even find a bible in the court rooms today and just hold up their hand and promise to tell the truth. Sure this Convid-19 throws’ a poker in the fire but who is casting stones. Janice is a positive lady and her team are doing well in many aspects.
One could say is the Golden rule been tossed out the window today in a court of law and government, or why this virus is here today or who starts a spark without a fire. Talk about man hindering mankind or killing the mind to scar a person with these internet ordeal or even this physical type action as all lives matter. From reviewing the acheivements and outcomes of Janice and her team over the past several years along with ACLU and many more advocate groups should we all say, we are not alone, and many of you all should also remember we have an advocate with the father.
Many should be happy they didn’t wind up in prison or with monitoring devices today still were is the release one looks for? Guess no one will be free from a lot of this internet stuff until one abolishes this type of electronic internet inducement. Talk about a twisted type of double indemity or double jepordy law. Its as if being happy in the Lord availables not much remedy but one would be suprised. So who is suffering today. Who is dying in this stumboling block as much of this will be over soon.