The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) conducted a successful two-day virtual conference on October 10 and 11. The conference featured plenary speakers such as criminal justice professor Dr. Alissa Ackerman, civil rights attorney Marcus Allen and Justin Brooks of the Innocence Project. The conference also featured panel discussions regarding the federal government’s proposed SORNA regulations, challenges faced by family members, the LGBT community, and travel restrictions.
“More than 240 people signed up for this year’s conference,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “Although it was ACSOL’s fourth annual conference, it was the organization’s first conference to be held virtually.”
According to conference participants, the sessions were both informative and helpful. One participant expressed her thanks for a discussion of a draft petition form to be used next year when California’s Tiered Registry takes effect. The leaders of that panel urged individuals to complete their own petition forms and to hire a legal representative if and only if the district attorney objects to their petition and a court hearing is required.
In addition to the plenary speakers and panels, which were recorded, ACSOL board member Alex Gittinger conducted a virtual “happy hour” that was not recorded during which participants could share their conference experiences. The “happy hours” were well attended on both days.
Conference presentations, except for the presentation made by professor Ackerman who asked not to be recorded, will be available later this week. A link to the recordings will be posted on the ACSOL website as well as sent by email to everyone who signed up for the conference.
If you attended, please post your thoughts below.
I really enjoyed the great speakers at this years conference. A lot of great information from all the speakers I had to pleasure of listening to all the great informative information even if it was these crazy SORNA stipulations the federal government is trying to throw in the mixture. The fight continues and I am glad we have so many great knowledgeable attorneys, doctors, therapists in our corner! If there was any suggestion or something I did not find in this conference was a panel on employment. I really missed this panel and the last few years this was always a great panel to listen and get tips. I am grateful for Janice’s relentless pursuit for fighting for our right helps me sleep at night knowing that their is hope and promise for what I truly believed was such a dismal and bleak situation. Also, Chance for being such a great champion for our rights, and all his great work as well. I can remember the first conference back in 2017 and still having my ankle monitor on, and it was a month away from being removed as my parole was close to being finished. I was really down and out about my future and had so many mixed emotions swirling around, and seeing Frank Lindsay and he always has the right words and positive uplifting things to say to make light of our situation. Thank you for always being someone to look up to and admire! I really hope we get to have the conference in person next year and see all of you really soon!
I LOVED the conference. It was so professional and so empowering.
Thank you to Janice, Chance, and everyone behind the scenes for all of your hard working putting this together. And thank you to all of the speakers and presenters for jobs well done.
Also, for what it’s worth, being able to attend this remotely via Zoom was a big benefit for me as I would not have been able to make it there in person. I hope that in the future that “virtual attendance” will continue to be an option if it’s possible.
Thank you!
Repeating my comment from General Comments page:
I thought most of the sessions and speakers were very good, but it just can’t compare with the in-person conference and that great Chinese dinner!
I hope the next one is in-person, with maybe added on Zoom screens and cameras for those unable to travel to LA.
The conference filled me with hope and information. I enjoyed hearing the speakers.
Justin Brooks inspired me to continue the fight even when it may seem almost impossible at times.
JoEllen, Kathleen and Daphny had some powerful personal stories in the Becoming Empowered After Being Outed session.
In the Grassroots Activism and Public Engagement session, Robert and Marty told their stories about how they became activists and shared ideas with us on how we can do the same.
Aaron Marcus showed a path we in other states can use for solid change in his Legal Challenges to Pennsylvania’s Sex Offender Registry session.
Alex helped us wrap up each day with his Happy Hour, where he discussed the things we heard and we shared our thoughts.
I look forward to watching the recorded sessions that I didn’t get to see!
I encourage everyone who couldn’t make the conference to register this week to watch the recordings. We will post a link on our home page as soon they are edited and processed.
We look forward to seeing YOU and all this year’s attendees at next year’s conference!
Thank you ACSOL for bringing together all this amazing people and groups. I have to believe that what is good and right and legal is on our side, and it is just a matter of time, although I’ll admit sometimes the time is painfully long.
I did not get to participate in going to all the meeting, but i glade i will get a chance later, i was frustrated at first because my phone carrier made me miss some of the groups, but i was at work, and listening to some of the session, and i tell you it made my day, i hope we do this again, but we must keep in mind not everyone is computer savvy, and we would like all who want to attend. great job !!!
As usual, I always come away learning new things and becoming more hopeful for the future seeing so many academia, lawyers, therapists, and public engage and share a world of knowledge, experience, and positivity. It really was great not having to drive to get to the conference. Thank you all so much for putting it together and thanks to all that presented.
I really enjoyed this conference, the first one for me.
I would like to ask a question, if I may:
Will the Chat Room comments be included with the conference presentations, and will these be available on video?
Thank you very much for all that you are doing for us Registered Citizens.