Book Club will meet on Tuesday, December 16th at 7 p.m. for 75 minutes.
Read MoreBook Club: “Dear Jacob” by Patty Wetterling & Joy Baker
Tag: SexOffenderRegistry
Stuck in 1995 Rally Marks 30 Years of Failed Policies
![PARSOL Board Chair Josiah Krammes speaks at the PA Capitol Rotunda flanked by State Reps. Emily Kinkead and Tim Briggs (28 Oct 2025) [John Dawe/PARSOL]](https://parsol.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/stuckIn1995_rally_header.avif)
HARRISBURG, PA – October 28, 2025 – The Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL) Advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda today to mark thirty years since the enactment of Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law and to call for modernization of the state’s sexual offense laws which were signed into law by then- Governor Tom Ridge on October 21, 1995. “Our…
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 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…
Read MoreDefying 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 MoreCourts 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 MoreA New Year’s Resolution: Managing Stigma as a PFR
It’s a new year! Many of us make New Year’s resolutions like a healthy diet, going to the gym, catching up with friends and family members, and financial goals to improve our lifestyles. Those are great resolutions, but what about persons forced to register (PFRs)? What’s something deeply personal for you to work on? Living with the label of “registered…
Read MoreOP/ED: Vigilantism and the Sex Offender Registry
The following Opinion/Editorial appeared in the December 20, 2024 issue of MerionWest. Portez Smith arrived outside Jesse Grover’s Pennsylvania duplex early on Sunday, November 17th of this year, yelling through the closed door, “Grover, you’re a f—ing pedophile.” When Grover opened the door, Smith pulled out a gun and shot him to death. Grover was registered on Pennsylvania’s sex offender…
Read MorePanel Discussion Recap: Registry, Reentry, Restoration
Reentry into society after incarceration is a journey fraught with obstacles. For individuals forced to register on the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law registry, these challenges become even more formidable as stigma and restrictive policies compound the difficulties of finding housing, employment, and acceptance. At a recent panel discussion, experts, advocates, and justice-impacted individuals convened to discuss the path forward, sharing insights…
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