Remorse: A gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs, according to Merriam-Webster. In a recent interview TV star Bill Cosby stated he was “not remorseful and did nothing wrong”, maintaining his innocence in the sexual assault crimes that were leveled against him in a well- known TV news media circus court case. So what happens to those accused of sex offenses who maintain their innocence throughout their trials, prison sentences and even after they are set free? Where is the line in the sand drawn between…
Read MoreAuthor: R H
ACSOL Emotional Support Group Meeting Alert in L.A. on Sat, Feb 23
ACSOL will conduct an Emotional Support Group for registrants and their loved ones on Saturday, February 23, beginning at 10 a.m. at: ACLU Building 1313 W. 8th Street Los Angeles Free parking is available under the building and there is no charge to attend the meeting. 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…
Read MoreACSOL Meeting in Berkeley on Saturday, Feb 23
Please mark your calendars for ACSOL’s upcoming meeting in Berkeley: Saturday, Feb 23 10 a.m. Finnish Hall (upstairs meeting room) 1970 Chestnut Street Berkeley Attendance is limited to individuals required to register, family members, and friends. Media, law enforcement, parole, etc. are not allowed to attend meetings. The meetings start at 10 am and last about 2-3 hours. Topics of conversation include information about ACSOL’s advocacy as well as current topics and pending legal action. Please Show up, Stand up, and Speak up!
Read MoreWhat do these people have in common? [Florida Action Committee]
[floridaactioncommittee.org – 2/14/19] What do the following people have in common? An Air Force Colonel A prison guard A Christian school teacher They are all in positions where they are responsible for protecting people? Yes, but not what I was looking for. They all require specialized training and background clearances? True, but again, not what I had in mind. They are all people we should trust and respect? Ok, not the answer I had in mind. Guess again… They are all sex offenders? Bingo! You guessed it! I scan the…
Read MoreCA: Root and Rebound’s Free Oakland legal clinic for people with records on March 6
Come to R&R’s next FREE legal clinic for people with arrest and conviction records. Examples of legal issues we can support on include: • Parole and Probation conditions; • Child Visitation and Custody, and Child Support rights; • Record-cleaning; • Fines & Fees and other Court-ordered debt; • Employment rights and “Ban the Box”; • Occupational license issues; • Housing rights; • Getting a Driver’s License or other form of ID; • Immigration rights with a record; • Voting rights. • And any other issue related to having a record.…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: To Compete In Today’s World, Registrants Need Computer Access
Making it out of prison alive is a success in itself. Making a success of your life once you are out of prison is often a whole different story. Registrants who are prohibited from using smartphones and computers, often those on probation, may find it a struggle trying to reintegrate into today’s fast paced techno- world without the proper tools. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to succeed in society without having access to computer technology that’s the norm for most men, women and children. For registrants, every day there’s some new…
Read MoreTN: Charges dropped against youth football coach who was accused of violating Sex Offender Registry Act
[fox13memphis.com – 2/8/19] Charges were dismissed against a Memphis Youth football coach. He was wrongfully accused of violating the state’s sexual offender registration laws. Police had arrested and charged Mykal Madision with Sexual Offender Registration and tracking on Wednesday. It happened after a parent of one of Madison’s players said he was a registered sex offender. Madison is currently listed on the Texas sex offender registry Read more
Read MoreThe Number of Men in Federal Prison for Viewing or Sharing Child Pornography Has Nearly Septupled Since 2004
The number of child pornography offenders in federal prison has nearly septupled since 2004, and most are serving mandatory sentences of five years or more, generally for crimes that did not involve assault or sexual abuse. In fiscal year 2016, for example, 1,565 people were sentenced for possessing, receiving, or distributing child pornography, but only 80 (5 percent) were also convicted of production or another form of sexual abuse. The average sentence was more than eight years. Download the report: JacobSullum_Number-imprisoned-septupled
Read MoreWA: Sheriff’s Seeking Input on Proposed Domestic Offender Registry [House Bill 1080 and Senate Bill 5244]
[newstalk870.am Washington State] The Franklin County Sheriff’s office posted some comments on their Facebook page, seeking public input on two companion bills (one in House, one in Senate) being debated in Olympia. :House Bill 1080 and Senate Bill 5244 would create a database for domestic violence offenders, similar to that which has been out for years for sex offenders. The Sheriff’s Department clarifies what the bills would do. Here’s part of that commentary: “House Bill 1080 and companion Bill SB 5244 would mandate the registry of persons convicted of a…
Read MoreEngland: Headteacher banned after ‘she didn’t disclose relationship with sex offender’
[birminghammail.co.uk – 2/6/19] A headteacher has been banned from the country’s classrooms after she failed to disclose her relationship with a sex offender. Caroline Riley, 54, dishonestly failed to reveal the courtship while she was head teacher at George Betts Primary School in Smethwick. She took over as head in 2009 and a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) disciplinary panel found that the following year, despite advice to the contrary, she failed to disclose the relationship. The disciplinary panel also heard she misled an investigation into the situation by saying she…
Read MoreTrinidad AG: Child sex offenders will have passports marked
[stlucianewsonline.com – 2/6/19] The marking of convicted child sex offenders’ passports is one of the amendments in new sexual offences legislation, reported Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi. He was piloting the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill in the Senate today. He said borrowing from the Australian and US laws, the passports will say “child sex offender.” He added the individual will have the ability to possibly have the record expunged. Al-Rawi explained with the Sexual Offenders Registry, there will be a public database with limited information such as photo, name and address,…
Read MoreTrinidad and Tobago: Senator objects to public naming of sex convicts
[guardian.co.tt – 2/5/19] At least one Independent Senator is not in support of the names of sexual offenders going public. Sophia Chote, SC, said that this has the potential of opening the floodgates for vigilante justice in T&T. Chote made the comment in the Senate on Tuesday during her contribution on the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill to create a sexual offenders registry. She said making the names of sexual offenders public will also stigmatise the name of the convicted person. “So if the T&T Police Service has a list of…
Read MoreAntigua & Barbuda To Implement Sex Offenders’ Registry
[stluciatimes.com – 2/2/19] Antigua Observer:- Residents will soon be alerted when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. Attorney General and Public Safety Minister Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin made that disclosure in Parliament this week. Once convicted, the names of all sexual offenders will be placed on a public registry. This news follows the establishment hereof a Sexual Offences Model Court last month. Benjamin, the Parliamentary representative for St. John’s City South, issued a direct warning to the offenders. “Leave the children alone. I am going to make sure that that…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: Rest in Peace My Friends
Was a homeless registrant who was found dead in the Michigan snow this week a victim of the frigid polar vortex that swept through half the country? (Autopsy report pending.) Or, was he the victim of Michigan’s state sex offender laws which deny emergency shelter to “sex offenders” even during the most brutal weather? What about the homeless registrant found frozen to death behind a Waffle House in Springfield, Missouri? The man’s snow covered body was found by other homeless people seeking shelter from the frigid weather. How many registrants…
Read MoreTN: Tennessee bill would give life in prison to those guilty of aggravated rape of a child
[thehill.com – 1/30/19] A new bill proposed in Tennessee would, if passed, sentence those found guilty of aggravated rape of a child to life in prison. Under the state’s current laws, those convicted of the crime can be sentenced to anywhere between 15 to 60 years in prison and receive a fine of up to $50,000. ADVERTISEMENT The new bill, also known as HB283, would increase the punishment for the crime, which would be classified as a Class A felony under state law, to life in prison without possibility for…
Read MoreCA: Untouchable documentary in Oakland on February 12
There will be a showing of the documentary Untouchable February 12 6:30 pm New Parkway Theater 474 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612 Tickets are $12, $10 for students and old folks. Click here to Purchase your tickets today! It will be followed by a panel discussion that will include David Feige, the film’s director, and Keith Wattley of Uncommon Law, which among other things helps people on parole at their parole hearings. What it is about: When a Florida lobbyist discovers his daughter has been sexually abused, he harnesses his extraordinary…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: Residency Restriction Proposal in Hawaii
Last August I wrote a blog piece on the Women Against Registry website regarding homeless registrants living in city parks and on the beaches of Oahu. At that time, the island seemed to be doing just fine without any presence or residency restrictions. Hawaii is one of 20 states that doesn’t have restrictions. Back then, Hawaii’s public defender, Jack Tonaki made this comment “the island is so small, residency restrictions would make it impossible for registrants to find housing.” As far as I can tell, the island hasn’t grown in…
Read MoreRegistrants needed for survey: Economic Impact of the Sex Offender Registry (ends March 1)
Below is a request for registrants only to provide researchers with information about economic impacts of the registry. If you wish, please contact them directly using the link below. The survey ends March 1. Thank you. Janice Hi everyone, Our names are Dr. Jennifer Klein and Dr. Danielle Bailey and we are both Assistant Professors at the University of Texas at Tyler. As you know, we have been collecting data for a project that analyzes the economic impact of the sex offender registry on those individuals required to register.…
Read More