Hello, supporters, and Happy New Year. We need your help. 2023 brings us a new 2-year Legislative Session and, with it, a fresh list of Members for all Committees. Here at PARSOL, we are particularly attune to the composition of the Judiciary Committees, where most laws affecting sexual offense policy must first pass before moving on to the House or…
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PARSOL’s Response to Hampton Township Petition; SVP Concerns
[Harrisburg, PA] The Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL) believes all sexual abuse is unacceptable and that prevention, treatment, and healing are possible. We take a person-first approach to criminal justice reform that cultivates a fair and just society, honors an individualâs inherent dignity, and promotes respect and fairness. As such, we are compelled to weigh in on…
Read MoreA History of PAâs Registry, Part III
Those who wish to understand how Pennsylvaniaâs Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA, Or Meganâs Law) operates today may be dismayed to learn that there are two sets of laws dictating the âwho, what, when, where, and howsâ of the registry. Misinformation from law enforcement around this confusing scheme is common. Because persons forced to register (PFRs) can be…
Read MoreJudge’s Opinion Cites ‘Sex Offender’ Myths & Out-of-Context Facts
SHAME! SHAME! Judge David Porter for the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court has recently published an opinion on Lacey Stradford; et al (appellees). v. Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. The Appellees challenged the Dept. of Corrections (DOC) policy on how they determine which parolees can be released to a halfway house based on that it violates the Fourteenth Amendmentâs Equal Protection…
Read MorePARSOL Praises New Ruling that Housing Communities Cannot Ban PFRs
STROUDSBURG, Pa. – PARSOL is praising a ruling by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court that states that a private housing development or homeowners association cannot ban persons forced to register as a âsex offenderâ under the stateâs SORNA / Meganâs Law from living within their community. Ruling in a Monroe County case, the state Commonwealth Court said a 2016 restrictive covenant…
Read More2022 Sentencing Commission Public Comment
On Thursday, September 29, 2022, the newly re-constituted United States Sentencing Commission issued tentative policy priorities for the 2022-2023 amendment yearâwith top focus on implementation of the First Step Act of 2018. A brief public comment period followed during which the following comments were submitted by “John F.” as reported by NARSOL. They are posted here for your information. The…
Read MoreNew: Updated Recidivism Fact Sheet Shows Eye-Opening Stats
The recent release of new data on recidivism by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, in a report released last month entitled, PA DOC: Recidivism, states that ‘sex offenders’ have the lowest recidivism rates. We have therefore updated our Fact Sheet.
Read MoreI Love a Person Forced to Register: My Autistic Son
April 18, 2021, the day my life changed forever. That was the day my Autistic son was arrested and incarcerated. He was 23 years old at the time and has now spent two birthdays behind bars. His charges are a direct manifestation of his disability. His desire to âfit inâ and feel accepted and liked by his peers made him…
Read MoreBook Review: Manufacturing Criminals: 4th Amendment Decay in the Electronic Age
Manufacturing Criminals: Fourth Amendment Decay in the Electronic Age by Bonnie Burkhardt is about how law enforcement, prosecutors and task forces are violating the 4th amendment, âthe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported…
Read MoreThe Truth About the Neighborhood Boogeyman
October is here and it’s almost that frightful time of the year. The goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are out. But of course, we canât forget the neighborhood âboogeymanâ. He doesnât wear a costume or put on Halloween makeup. He doesnât go around with an ax, machete, or chainsaw. He doesnât hide underneath the bed or in the closet waiting to…
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