Blog

Superior 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 More

No 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 More

New 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 More

Registrants, 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 More

The 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…

Read More

Defying Gravity: A Metaphor for Overcoming the Challenges of SORNA

The song Defying Gravity from Wicked is a powerful anthem about rejecting societal expectations, embracing self-determination, and rising above obstacles. For individuals on the “Sex Offender” Registry who face immense stigma and legal barriers, the themes of this song resonate deeply. The lyrics speak to the struggle of being judged, the desire to challenge an unfair system and the need…

Read More

Rebuilding Community: Transforming Lives with Restorative Circles

In a world often defined by disconnection, punishment and retribution, restorative circles offer a compelling alternative: connection, accountability, and healing. Amber Vlangas, a leading voice in restorative justice and a survivor of sexual violence, passionately advocates for this transformative approach. At the 2024 PARSOL Fall Conference, she shared insights into the powerful practice of restorative circles, which bridge the divide…

Read More

Courts Update: SCOPA Clarifies Mens Rea Requirements in SORNA Registration Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court (SCOPA) recently addressed a critical legal question in the case of Commonwealth v. Roberts, 16 WAP 2023, examining the mens rea requirements for registration violations. Mens rea, meaning “guilty mind” in Latin, refers to the mental state or intent a defendant must have while committing a crime to be held criminally liable. It distinguishes intentional or…

Read More

“We can’t arrest our way out of Child Sexual Abuse”

One of the Pennsylvnia Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL)’s top priorities is to ensure our communities and leaders recognize that sexual harm is a preventable public health issue, a significant paradigm shift from society’s predisposed criminal justice response. In support of this priority, PARSOL staff and key volunteers attend relevant conferences and workshops. On June 25-26, 2024, PARSOL…

Read More