PARSOL has sent testimony to the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee who is reviewing and voting on HB 462 & HB 464, which we oppose.
Read MorePARSOL to General Assembly: Don’t Mess with Statute of Limitation Laws
Blog
Chair’s Corner: The Importance of Self-Advocacy
I’m always reminded of the importance of advocacy for one’s self. I know how crucial it is in overcoming the barriers they face in housing, employment, and reintegration as I am one of them too. Without self-advocacy and strong ally support, the challenges imposed by the registry can feel insurmountable. However, I believe that by speaking up and pushing for…
Read MorePennsylvania Fearless: A Lifeline for Those Navigating Life on the Registry
“Hi, I’m Ashley, a person forced to register and I know all too well how isolating and overwhelming this journey can feel.” – I have the privilege of facilitating Fearless, a support group that has changed my life and the lives of so many others. Like most of the people who attend, Society has a way of making us feel…
Read MoreOur Opinion: The criminal justice system is dangerous for autistic people
Mr. Robert Roberson was wrongfully convicted in 2003 of murdering his 2 year old daughter, convicted on the basis of “junk science,” but arrested because of the way he acted. His “flat affect” — meaning he didn’t show his emotions — while in the emergency room with her raised the suspicions of hospital staff, leading to his arrest. “His attorneys have…
Read MoreSuperior Court Upholds “Three Strike” Rule – Lifetime Imprisonment for Repeat Offenders
The Pennsylvania Superior Court’s recent (21 Mar 2025) decision in Commonwealth v. Davis (No. 1038 MDA 2023) presents a complex legal issue regarding the constitutionality of mandatory life sentences for repeat offenders convicted of distributing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Background Joseph J. Davis was convicted of two counts each of sexual abuse of children (distribution of child sexual abuse…
Read MoreBook Club: How I Learned to Hide by Lisa Kessler-Peters (Aprli 15, 2025)
Book Club Event Details Click Here to Register Online Get the Book About How I Learned to Hide Shining light into the depths of darkness… “Lisa Kessler-Peters invites you on a healing journey in her new book, How I Learned to Hide. Lisa’s deep brokenness began as a child and continued into adulthood. Reading her healing process will start to…
Read MoreNo Room at the Home: Barriers for Long-Term Care for Aging ‘Sex Offenders’
When criminologist Stephanie Jerstad’s former client, a registered ‘sex offender’ died waiting to find a long-term care facility in Illinois that would accept him, she dedicated her dissertation research to studying if facility-level characteristics matter in explaining organizational policies for the admission of persons on the sex offender registry. This issue intersects with public health, social justice, and human rights,…
Read MoreNew Policy Brief: Registry is Ineffective, Costly, and Harmful
New Report Exposes the Ineffectiveness of Sex Offender Registries The Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center (SOLPRC) at Mitchell Hamline School of Law has released a comprehensive policy brief titled “Ineffective, Costly, and Harmful: Debunking the Sex Offense Registry.” This report is a significant addition to the ongoing debate about the efficacy and impact of Sex Offender Registration and…
Read MoreRegistrants, Families, Supporters Demonstrate Unity in Washington, D.C.
A group of persons forced to register, members of their families and supporters demonstrated unity in Washington, D.C. this week in a unity conference and a vigil near the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Both events included leaders and members of multiple organizations that support registrants and their families, including PARSOL, NARSOL, ACSOL, WAR, Florida Action Committee, SHINE, United…
Read MoreThe Problematic Reality of Lifetime Registration Under Pennsylvania’s SORNA
Pennsylvania’s “Sexual Offender” Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) was designed to enhance public safety by tracking individuals convicted of sexual offenses. However, an analysis of the current registry data reveals a troubling reality: more than half of the state’s Persons Forced to Register (PFRs) are on the list for life. This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness, fairness, and consequences…
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