A New Year For RSOL (Full Release)

January 22, 2013
Contact: Sandy Rozek, Communications Committee
713.303.4037
correspondence@reformsexoffenderlaws.org

RSOL—Reform Sex Offender Laws, Inc.—is pleased to welcome the New Year with some timely and aggressive legal action. Directed by our Legal Committee, we are supporting our Pennsylvania state affiliate, Pennsylvania RSOL, in challenging sections of Senate Bill 1183 (Pennsylvania’s new sex offender registration requirements) on multiple constitutional grounds. Two press releases have been issued relevant to this issue.

 

Additionally, a letter has been mailed to ten-year registrants throughout the state of Pennsylvania advising them of our action and encouraging them to contribute their moral and financial support to our efforts.  We also encourage them to join National RSOL as well as their local chapter if they have not already done so. 

 

National RSOL has issued press releases in New Mexico and in Texas.  In those states, we oppose bills which propose new requirements and restrictions on registrants using social networking sites.   Elements of both states’ bills are clearly unconstitutional, and similar bills and laws in other states have been overturned.

 

Our second major effort in the new year will be a membership drive!   RSOL’s Planning Committee has examined several membership models and is in the process of designing one that will facilitate the furtherance of our vision, mission, and goals.

 

The formulation of vision, mission, goals, and belief statements, also spearheaded by the Planning Committee, is nearing completion. They are each posted on the website, www.reformsexoffenderlaws.org, as soon as they are approved by the full Admin Team of nine members, in accordance with our bylaws. Vision, mission, and goals are posted and can be viewed by going to the website. Work on the belief statements is nearing completion.

 

The new year will see new undertakings for RSOL, but our established and valuable current practices will continue as well.  For example, our Prison Project sends theDigest, in both electronic and paper format, to incarcerated offenders.  The Digestreaches people (more each month!) in both federal and state institutions, so the Prison Project continues to grow.

 

The Conference Committee has been at work on our next national conference since the close of last year’s fourth and largest-attended one in Albuquerque, NM. The 2013 conference will take place over Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles, California, and we anticipate an even larger attendance for this fifth national conference.

 

This year will also see increased efforts at collaboration with other organizations whose goals complement those of RSOL. Using all available resources, we will continue to seek legislation that is based on facts and evidence-based research and laws that adhere to our Constitution while providing protection for every man, woman, and child in our nation.

 

 

RSOL promotes the elimination of sexual abuse and the preservation of civil rights for all individuals through the use of effective legislation based on empirical research. We envision sexual offense laws based on equal justice and respect for the dignity of all people, protection from retroactively applied punishment, and the establishment of fact-based laws and policies that protect our communities.

New Blog From Wife of RSO

Hi guys,

Prisoners of Love is a blog by the wife of a RSO who finds herself dealing with allegations her husband has recently reoffended.  This has jeopardized the life they have built with each other after she stayed with him after his initial offense and subsequent longterm incarceration. In her words:

There are a lot of families in the world who have been touched by the family disease of addictions ranging from alcoholism to sex addiction. I don't know the answers for these problems, but I do believe that if we don't talk about and search for healing, our children's children will pay the price. I hope that by sharing what I am going through, what my children are going through, that I can find help for them and hopefully in turn it will help someone else.

A lot going on there and she is looking to connect with others for support and advice.

A Lawyers Excellent Blog Post Explaining Pennsylvania's New Megan's Law

Premier Defense Group has a great blog post breaking down the new Adam Walsh Act, its implications, and possible routes for appealing the law. Definitely a good read for ex-offenders and their families.

http://www.premierdefensegroup.com/blog/appealing-pennsylvanias-new-megans/

The Defender Association of Philadelphia and A Pennsylvania RSO on Probation and His Experience Registering Under The New Adam Walsh Act

This written by a probationer about his experience complying with the newly enacted Adam Walsh Act in Pennsylvania.

I wanted to pass along my experience on Dec. 21st when I was ordered to report by Probation to register under the new Act 111. I just had to fill out a lot of paperwork, even though I've registered with the State Police before. I had to bring with me my car registration and my mom's, since I drive her car once in a while. I had to give them e-mail addresses and any school or work info. So the usual bs. 

But along with the probation officers were at least 5 representatives from the Defender Association of Philadelphia (where I live). I was shocked to see them, but grateful they were there. They were talking to us one on one and explaining why they want to fight this unjust law. They had a short form for each person to fill out so they could start to get plaintiffs together for a massive lawsuit. And the best part is that they are public defenders, so money is not an issue, although I'm sure they take donations, but I don't know that.  

I've been in contact with the Defender Association of Philadelphia through Karl Baker who is Chief of the Appeals Division for a few months now. He has kept me informed of any court cases that have anything to do with my specific situation. 

I would suggest all of you in PA call or write the Defender Assoc. soon to be a part of this lawsuit or at least to get some more info on the fight. Here is the contact info: Defender Association of Philadelphia1441 Sansom StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19102(215) 568-3190

Out of State Registered Sex Offenders Visiting PA

I just called the Pennsylvania State Police for clarification: if you are an out of state registered sex offender visiting PA for more than 7 aggregate days in a calendar year then you must register as a PA sex offender and all that entails.

Pennsylvania Adam Walsh Act Requirements To Be Challenged via RSOL

Sex Offender Registration Requirements to be Challenged 
 

December 20, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Larry Neely
RSOL Legal Committee

 

Reform Sex Offender Laws Inc. (RSOL) plans to soon challenge sections of Senate Bill 1183 (Pennsylvania’s new sex offender registration requirements) on multiple constitutional grounds.

Today marks the beginning of enforcement of a controversial new state law that purports to protect citizens from registered sex offenders. RSOL’s executive director Brenda Jones stated, “It is disappointing that Pennsylvania’s lawmakers chose to ignore the lessons learned when Ohio proceeded down this same disastrous path more than five years ago.” Ohio was the first state to be deemed AWA complaint, but the courts subsequently have found several aspects of Ohio’s new law unconstitutional. After expending millions of taxpayer dollars defending an unconstitutional law, Ohio was forced  to revert back to the old registration system for those sentenced prior to the new law’s enactment.

Jones stated that provisions of Pennsylvania’s new law “transform what is supposed to be a non-punitive, civil regulatory measure into a form of lifetime probationary supervision for most persons on the registry,” which RSOL believes to be blatantly unconstitutional. “And further,” she continues, “all individuals on Pennsylvania’s registry will see their registration periods dramatically increase, with the majority becoming life-timers. This,” she emphasized, “is a violation of the ex post facto clause.”

Jones stated that although the new law was touted by its supporters as necessary to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act (AWA), “It does little if anything to improve public safety, and any marginal benefit achieved is at the expense of trampling over our most cherished constitutional protections.”

Jones concluded her remarks by saying, “It is most unfortunate that RSOL must undertake such a challenge, but make no mistake about it; we cannot and will not stand by while public policymakers shred the constitution and disregard their oaths of office.”


RSOL promotes the elimination of sexual abuse and the preservation of civil rights for all individuals through the use of effective legislation based on empirical research. We envision sexual offense laws based on equal justice and respect for the dignity of all people, protection from retroactively applied punishment, and the establishment of fact-based laws and policies which protect our communities.
 

-30-

 

 

Happy 2013 Everyone!

The changing of the calendar year is always a *big* deal for those incarcerated or under supervised release and their families and friends as well.   Maybe this is the year he is released or perhaps 2013 means the end of your probation/parole. Or maybe you have enough time under your belt to petition to reduce your level or to even get off the registry.  At the very least, 2013 means one step closer.

Happy New Year!

Pennsylvania Implements the Adam Walsh Act (AWA)

On December 20, 2011, Governor Corbett signed a bill to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (AWA) of 2006.  Most of the major provisions of the act are now implemented.

 If you are an RSO or care about one then please read the summary of the new registration requirements the law requires.  Needless to say, this is a more punitive and retroactive set of requirements for ex-offenders and their families and friends.  One example of the misguided nature of the law is your dangerousness level i.e. Tier is offense based and does not allow for, say, a panel to determine ones level.  There is no incentivization or mechanism built into the law to allow for one to petition to reduce his compulsory dangerousness level, no matter what.  If you have a offense against a minor, for instance, you are "Tier III" and on the registry for life and all that means.  If you don't live in a state that has enacted the AWA, read through it below-it may be passed in your state someday.  For those of us in Massachusetts, it is possible we are one very horrible and public case away from politicians enacting the AWA.

Wait, there's good news!

From a contact at the Pennsylvania chapter of http://www.reformsexoffenderlaws.org the good news is: There is an attorney who will challenge the law but offenders and families need to step up and make their voices heard and fight for their rights.  Please also considering contributing to the law firm to defray the legal expenses.  If you live in PA, filing a complaint with the local chapter of the ACLU and the PA State Police is recommended and detailed below.
-Richard

HELP FIGHT THE AWA!

Attorney Information:

Weisberg Law, P.C.

also t/a Consumer Justice Alliance

7 S. Morton Ave.

Morton, PA 19070

W:  610-690-0801

C:   215-370-7500

F:   610-690-0880

www.weisberglawoffices.com

**Each person is should donate a minimum of $50.00---$100.00 each**
“Fight AWA Act” should be clearly printed in the memo section of the Check!

Each person is advised to contact the ACLU and file an individual Complaint!

ACLU Eastern Office
PO Box 40008
Philadelphia, PA 19106
T: 215-592-1513 or toll-free at 877-PHL-ACLU
F: 215-592-1343

info@aclupa.org                ***IF YOU LIVE IN WESTERN PA or Middle PA… JUST GOOGLE ACLU and SEND YOUR COMPLAINT TO THE APPROPRIATE ACLU ADDRESS. THEY HAVE ONE FOR WESTERN PA & MIDDLE PA***

**Each Offender is advised to contact the Megan’s Law Section and file a formal written complaint**

Pennsylvania State Police
Bureau of Records and Identification
Megan's Law Section
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
toll free at 1-866-771-3170

Preview of upcoming independent film project tentatively titled "Gary Blanton Jr.- Beyond The Label."

On June 2, 2012, a career criminal named Patrick Drum killed two people and planned to kill a third along the Washington state peninsula. Because his victims were listed on the state's public "sex offender" registry, Drum was labeled a "hero" by many in the community. But they judged the victims on the label alone.

Beyond the Label looks at the life of Gary Blanton as told by his widow, Leslie Blanton. Mrs. Blanton, in her own words, goes beyond the media reports and the label given by society, showing Gary Blanton, Jr. as a devoted husband and father, a volunteer in the community, and a man who struggled to overcome the label "Registered Sex Offender."

Gary Blanton, Jr. was officially convicted of "Third Degree Rape"; however, the media failed to mention his conviction was the result of a consensual relationship when Blanton was just 17 years old, a relationship disapproved by his girlfriend's parents. Blanton lived a decade on the registry, working, volunteering, and taking care of his wife and kids, while being singled out and targeted based on the sex offender label. 

This video is restricted and copyrighted by Once Fallen working in cooperation with Leslie Blanton, the wife of Gary Blanton, Jr. This preview is not to be reproduced or redistributed without the expressed written consent of Once Fallen. The preview title and content is a work in progress and may not reflect the finished product.

For more information or to donate to this project, go to http://www.oncefallen.com/

The Compassionate Companion

First, I wanted to apologize for the lack of posts.  I've been flaking out a bit and have been delibrately avoiding the my blog, Twitter and Facebook.

As some of you know, I have done my 10 years on probation  and the time after my release from probation (August 2011) with my labrador retrievers by my side.  I'm sorry to report that 3 weeks ago I had to put  my old boy Champ down at 13 years 3 months.  He and his littermate Daisy (2010) were the constants in my life throughout my joys and struggles the past decade+.  Champ and Daisy live on in 4 other dogs they helped nuture, showing them how to enjoy being a dog and to understand the human environment in which they live.

 I know many of you also enjoy the companionship a pet can bring into ones life.  For us sex offenders (and I'm sure many other ex-cons), being with a beloved pet draws us away and buffers us from whatever ostracism or ill follows us around town or into our homes and helps us focus on the "now", something easily distracted from when you are constantly reminded about your past and the future that awaits you.  My labs were my greatest protectors, spiritually and physically.

Of course, having a pet is not always practical, feasible, or allowed (yes probation/parole can bar you from having a pet).  I was fortunate to have a family that supported the financial care of my dogs when I couldn't, for instance.  However, if you are able to make the commitment and incorporate a dog (or cat) into your life on whatever level after prison, during probation, etc..., it may be the most wonderful choice you could make.  Their ability to rehabilitate the soul is staggering.