Today the U.S. Sentencing Commission released its 2025 amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The amendments will take effect in 6 months unless Congress overrides them. ACTION NEEDED:USSC is seeking comment on retroactivity of the amendments. Comment Deadline: June 2 ANALYSIS: The below analysis uses the term “sex offender” in direct quote reference to the USSC’s language in the guidelines…
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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…
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“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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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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