[brennancenter.org – 1/3/20] NYU law professor and author Rachel Barkow offers solutions for tackling America’s criminal justice crisis. The forces that created and perpetuate mass incarceration have been entrenched for decades. In her book, Prisoners of Politics: Breaking the Cycle of Mass Incarceration, New York University law professor Rachel Barkow details solutions for fixing the system’s myriad problems. She talked to the Brennan Center’s Ruth Sangree about some of them. What is the best-case scenario for criminal justice reform in the coming years? It involves reform at the state and federal level. It gives…
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TN: Tennessee Lawmaker Bruce Griffey Files Bill To Chemically Castrate Convicted Sex Offenders
[inquisitr.com – 1/3/20] A Tennessee lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require anyone convicted of a sexual offense against a child under the age of 13 to be chemically castrated, The Tennesseean reports. Bruce Griffey, a Republican from the rural community of Paris, introduced the bill which, should it be passed, would become effective in July. Under the language of the bill, which is nearly identical to that of a similar law approved last year in Alabama, those sentenced for the crime would undergo a chemical injection that “reduces,…
Read MoreIreland: Laws to protect sex offenders’ identities must be considered, says outgoing probation chief
[irishtimes.com – 1/1/20] Ireland should consider introducing privacy laws to protect the identities of sex offenders being released back into the community, the outgoing director of the Probation Service believes. Such laws, which are in place in several other countries, would prevent the public naming of offenders in the media and would aid in their rehabilitation and therefore reduce the risk of re-offending, Vivian Geiran said. “I certainly think there is a case to be made for that,” Mr Geiran said in an interview ahead of his retirement after seven…
Read MoreGeneral Comments January 2020
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of January 2020. 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 MoreA look at 15 states making it easier to sue over sex abuse
[billingsgazette.com – 12/3/19] Eight states and the District of Columbia have established “lookback windows” allowing people to sue no matter how long ago the alleged abuse took place. They can file civil suits against both their alleged abusers such as priests and the church or other institutions where they worked. NEW YORK — One-year window allowing previously barred suits opened August 14. After that, suits allowed until age 55, up from 23 before the law was passed. NEW JERSEY — Two-year window opened Dec. 1. After that ends, suits allowed…
Read MoreCA: New AB 218 law allowing childhood sexual assault victims more time to report draws widespread praise
CALIFORNIA: [ocregister.com – 10/15/19] AB 218 extends statute of limitations allowing victims to file lawsuits up until age 40. Advocates, lawyers and victims across the state on Monday lauded a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom allowing victims of childhood sexual assault more time to file lawsuits. Assembly Bill 218 affects those abused in many walks of life, from Olympics swimmers and schoolchildren to Boy Scouts and young Catholic churchgoers. The bill, signed by the governor on Sunday and taking effect Jan. 1, gives victims of childhood sexual…
Read MoreDominica island: BPW calls for a sex offenders registry in Dominica
[loopslu.com – 12/31/19] The Dominica chapter of Business and Professional Women (BPW) is working with other women’s rights groups across the region, to ensure that dreams of a sex offenders registry on the nature isle, is realized. President of BPW Dominica, Rhoda St. John, said “We are working with a number of Caribbean islands where we’re going to be looking at getting the sex offenders registries implemented not only in Dominica, but in as many of the Caribbean islands as we can in 2020.” The aim, she said is to…
Read MoreUK: Children In The UK As Young As 4 Are Being Investigated and Given Criminal Records For Sexting
[inquisitr.com – 12/30/19] Thousands of children across the United Kingdom — some as young as four years old — have been investigated by the police for “sexting” — that is, consensually sharing sexually explicit images of themselves with each other, The Guardian reports. In some cases, the children have even been given criminal records. Laws against child pornography have been around for decades, intended to protect children from being sexually exploited and to punish those who would possess such images and/or share them with each other. However, teenagers — and…
Read MoreAR: Sex-offender housing laws raise hitch
Legislators have passed several laws over the past couple of decades that limit where sex offenders can live in hopes of keeping communities safe, but some state officials say such laws often impede registrants from successful rehabilitation. Arkansas prison officials say they must figure out a better way of housing sex offenders released from prison because a growing number of them are homeless and tracking them has become a national concern. “They have to go somewhere,” said Dina Tyler, a spokeswoman for Arkansas Community Correction. “The community reaction to sex…
Read MoreEmotional Support Group Meetings
Emotional support meetings provide individuals required to register, their family members, and their friends, an opportunity to discuss personal challenges and share their experiences, strengths and hopes. They are not the same as monthly ACSOL phone conference meetings. The support meetings do not discuss legal issues, bills, and laws. They are based upon the format of 12 Step meetings. Media, law enforcement, parole, etc. are not allowed to attend meetings. There is no cost to attend. The meetings are currently online using Zoom or phone. This may change over time…
Read MoreNY: Make Plea Bargains In Felony Sex Abuse Cases More Difficult
[post-journal.com – 12/20/19] New York state doesn’t want to be too harsh on those convicted of crimes. That thought applies to the intransigence of state Democrats to broach the idea of tweaking their much-criticized criminal justice reforms just as it does to a piece of common-sense legislation that has been introduced for the past six years in the state Legislature without ever becoming law. Past history didn’t stop Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr., R-Sag Harbor, from reintroducing legislation that would make it harder for prosecutors and defense attorneys from making plea…
Read MoreCA: State court revives psychotherapist challenge to law on patients who reveal child porn activity
[sfchronicle.com – 12/26/19] The California Supreme Court revived a challenge by psychotherapists Thursday to a state law requiring them to notify the government about any patient who has viewed child pornography. The law, passed in 2014, expanded statutes from the 1980s that required therapists to report to police or child welfare offices — or face loss of their licenses and criminal prosecution — when a patient has produced, distributed or duplicated images of juveniles engaged in sexual activity. The new law extended the requirement to patients who downloaded or viewed…
Read MoreIL: Illinois law will remove the statute of limitations for adult sex crimes
[mdjonline.com – 12/26/19] A new law will remove the statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes in Illinois. Lawmakers passed House Bill 2135 this spring. Oswego state Rep. Keith Wheeler introduced the measure in the House. Aurora state Sen. Linda Holmes introduced the Senate version. The law will remove the statute of limitations for the prosecution of sexual assault crimes against adults. General Counsel for the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault Sarah Beuning said the new law was “a very big deal in the message it sends to survivors about how serious…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: Pardons and Commutations
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin spent some of his last days in office/2019 issuing pardons and commutations. A fine gift of “peace on earth and good will towards men” if you ask me. But there are grinches among us. Many people were not quite so happy with the Governor’s actions when word got out that some of those pardons and commutations went to those who had been convicted of violent crimes including murder and rape. One of the most contested pardons, the one picked up by the major news stations, was…
Read MoreNY: Cuomo: Make Sex Offenders Disclose Dating, Gaming User Names
[nbcnewyork.com – 12/22/19] New York’s governor says convicted sex offenders should be required to disclose their social media screen names to prevent them from using apps to exploit children. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday that existing laws targeting online predation don’t account for new technology. His proposal, unveiled as part of his State of the State agenda, would require sex offenders to hand over screen names for dating and gaming apps, as well. The Democrat’s proposed legislation would also make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to misrepresent themselves…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: No Excuse for Disrespect
As the family members of registrants, it’s often hard to hear the stories of the disrespect that our loved ones endure on a daily basis. They are often disrespected by the public, media, law enforcement, city, state, government officials and others because of their status. Too often, there’s been little that registrants could do about the way they were treated. As advocates for our family members, at the very least, we want to confront those who disrespect our loved ones by jumping in, making phone calls, sending emails or letters…
Read MoreACSOL Emotional Support Group Meetings Available: Sat, Dec 28 in L.A.; Most Thursdays in Sac; Monthly on the phone
Emotional Support Group meetings will be held for those convicted of a sex offense and their loved ones. 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 members, and friends. Media, law enforcement, parole, etc. are not allowed to attend meetings. There is no cost to attend. No reservations are required. Face-to-face and phone emotional…
Read MoreTX: Texas Sex Offender Registry Upheld by Fifth Circuit
[bloomberglaw.com – 12/17/19] The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program, which requires sex offenders to make in person reports and restricts housing options, doesn’t violate the U.S. Constitution by depriving registrants of due process, the Fifth Circuit ruled. An individual convicted of a sex crime in a trial or plea agreement has received the minimum protections required by due process, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said Dec. 16. Secondary harms to registrants, such as finding housing, aren’t direct infringements by the state, the court said. The court…
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