[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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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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WHAT? The neckâs an intimate part of the body? Since when? Since 9/29/22 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in a 5 to 2 ruling on Commonwealth v. Carl Gamby, 62 MAP 2021. They considered âwhether the unwanted kissing of a personâs neck constitutes the touching of âsexual or other intimate partsâ for purposes of the crime of indecent assault,â…
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The Legislative Committee of PARSOL is based in Harrisburg but is active across the entire Commonwealth. It is dedicated to forming relationships with our elected officials and tracking bills that affect sexual offense policy. PARSOLâs sexual offense policy interests include: Proactive measures such as education and identifying effective interventions aimed at preventing abuse. Criminal Justice Reform (CJR) efforts that might…
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