[vindy.mobi] We forgive. We hate. They are two polarizing traits that distinguish humans from all other species. In America, we are exceptional at both, and that is the paradox in “The Land of Dreams.” We watch news footage of kangaroo leadership and human atrocities in far-flung places and convince ourselves that we are an advanced and reasoned society as we sign checks to the needy, walk racetracks for cancer, build homes for the poor and so on. All of it, though, conceals an ugly American truth – like a waterway…
Read MoreAuthor: R H
The Practical Case for Parole for Violent Offenders
[NY Times] The American criminal justice system is exceptional, in the worst way possible: It combines exceptionally coercive plea bargaining, exceptionally long sentences, exceptionally brutal prison conditions and exceptionally difficult obstacles to societal re-entry. This punitiveness makes us stand out as uniquely inhumane in comparison with other industrialized countries. To remedy this, along with other changes, we must consider opening the exit doors — and not just for the “easy” cases of nonviolent drug offenders. Yes, I’m suggesting that we release some of the people who once committed serious, violent…
Read MoreFL: Hundreds of Miami Sex Offenders Live in a Squalid Tent City Near Hialeah
Cradling a heavy box of Budweiser against his flour-dusted apron, Mario Medina clicks open the door and greets two waitresses behind the counter at La Cascada, a retro Cuban pizza parlor in Northwest Miami-Dade. Besides the voice of a sports commentator on the TV and sporadic blips from arcade games in the back, the restaurant is quiet, and all five tables are empty. It’s 30 minutes into the lunch rush hour, but only three weary patrons in construction boots sit hunched over glasses of cold beer at the bar.“Before, we…
Read MoreThe Self-Identity of a Sex Offender
[counterpunch.org] Attitude, far from being “everything”, is simply an offshoot of the self-identity. People are constantly changing their self-identities, either to project the desired image or to gain personal growth. How do you perceive yourself? How much do you accept what other people want of you? Do their perceptions of you match what you want to portray? The men and women on sex offender probation have no choice about their identities. They are sex offenders, solely and clearly. Questions about perception and portrayal are nice but hardly applicable. Other people…
Read MoreEditorial, 8/5: Ruling gives justice to juvenile offenders
[journalstar.com] The blindfold seen on statues of Lady Justice worldwide represents how the judicial system must not be affected by outside influences. All who enter a courtroom must, too, be treated fairly. A Monday ruling by the 8th Circuit Court confirmed that justice must be blind to geographical boundaries and equitable to all juvenile Nebraskans, regardless of where they committed their offenses. By reaffirming that a teen should not be placed on the state’s sex offender registry because of a juvenile court ruling in his previous home state of Minnesota,…
Read MoreMost would prefer to die than be regarded as a child molester
[purityofheart.org] Many people would prefer to die than live a lengthy existence regarded as a child molester, a brand new psychology study reveals. Experts repeat the survey by researchers in Florida, New York, and Australia highlight how strongly humans worry about their status. Plus they claim it might reveal why online bullying can drive youthful individuals to depression, suicidal ideas, or perhaps to place their own existence. The research, printed now, comes among a significant push to curb youthful suicide, as figures in the CDC reveal rates have bending among…
Read MoreNew documentary explores the false freedom of life on parole
There’s a story the mainstream media trumpets most loudly when it comes to parole, and it’s a frightening one: A violent criminal is released from prison, and within weeks or months of their release, a heinous, tragic crime is committed again. The lesson this story teaches the public is toxic, and largely inaccurate. When the only stories of parole we tell are those that end in bloodshed, “getting out on parole” becomes synonymous with fear, and imparts the idea that no one should ever receive parole. Read more
Read MoreAfter Exoneration,Jarrett Adams is Helping Others Wrongfully Convicted
Lester Holt interviews Jarrett Adams, who was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault when he was just 17 and — as an attorney — is now helping others who are in similar positions as he used to be. Watch Video
Read MoreThe Well-Meaning ‘Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act’ Could Be A Trojan Horse
It’s hard for me to argue about a proposed law called Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act. After all, I’m co-founder and CEO of ConnectSafely.org, an internet safety group, and have been active in child protection organizations for decades. But this proposed law, which has the support of several prominent Republican and Democratic senators, may have some unintended consequences both for tech companies and the very people the bill hopes to protect. Read more Additional article from Slate.com
Read MoreCourt challenge to juvenile sex offender registration laws fails
Juveniles who are convicted of a sex crime in California and are sentenced to state custody can be required to register with police as sex offenders for life, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty and mandatory life sentencing laws cannot be applied to juveniles because of their lesser mental and emotional development. But the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento said the same rationale does not apply to state sex offender registration laws, which are meant to protect the…
Read MoreCA Action alert: Join us at CDCR Hearing on Sept 1 on Prop 57 to help our incarcerated brothers
Petition and Complaint Regulations – July 2017 The CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will conduct a hearing on Friday, September 1, during which the public has an opportunity to comment on proposed regulations which attempt to implement Prop. 57. The hearing is scheduled to be held: 9 a.m. to noon 1416 Ninth Street Dept. of Water Resources Building Auditorium Sacramento “The proposed regulations issued by CDCR are unlawful because they prohibit registrants and others from the benefits of Prop. 57,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. Prop.…
Read More176 sex offenders, mostly Americans, barred from entering PHL in first half of 2017- BI
[GMA News Online] The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred nearly 200 foreign sex offenders from entering the Philippines during the first six months of the year. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the 176 foreigners were denied entry due to their record as registered sex offenders (RSOs) or individuals convicted or are wanted for sex crimes in their home countries. Read more
Read MoreWant to Shrink Our Prisons? Fix Probation and Parole | The Crime Report
In our nation’s expanding discussion about eliminating mass incarceration, advocates, researchers and the media are missing a major contributor to incarcerated populations and a partial deprivation of liberty in its own right. Mass supervision through probation and parole. Read more
Read MoreAnimal Abusers Will Now Be Registered Like Sex Offenders
Tennessee: Consider this a win for animals all over the country. For every abused puppy, abandoned kitten, or medically tested bunny, this is a win. No question. A new law is growing in popularity across the country, and it’s something everyone can agree on. A number of United States jurisdictions have implemented an animal offenders registry, which will publicly reveal the names of known animal abusers in the area, similar to how sex offenders are registered. Read more
Read MoreState Supreme Court ruling sides with Fairfield child molester
FAIRFIELD — A Fairfield child molester’s victory Monday in the California Supreme Court will “further burden our overworked and under-resourced superior courts while adding little to the fair determination of (certain criminal) proceedings,” according to a lower court. Read article
Read MoreTeacher convicted of having sex with her student suing teenage boy for defamation
A 36-year-old teacher convicted of having sex with a person under the legal age of consent in California is suing the student she slept with for defamation. Tara Stumph, who is currently serving a 180 day sentence for having sex with a 16-year-old student, says that statements made by the young man Source: Teacher convicted of having sex with her student suing teenage boy for defamation
Read MoreVA: Norfolk Virginia’s Children’s Hospital Bans RSO Visitors Who are NOT Parents
I’ve just learned that being a Registered Sex Offender in Virginia with a sick child who needs specialized hospitalization is another humiliating and punitive road to walk. Read more
Read MoreBe wary of emotionally charged laws named after dead people
There’s an old adage in politics that says “it’s always better to do something than nothing.” One look at emotionally charged legislation like Kate’s Law, however, and that hackneyed phrase gets turned on its head. Link to Article
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