With Unity Comes Change
Senate Bill 286 (SB 286), introduced by California State Senator Brian Jones, seeks to exclude individuals convicted of violent sexual offenses and first-degree murder from eligibility under the state’s Elderly Parole Program. This program currently allows inmates aged 50 or older who have served at least 20 years to be considered for parole. The bill aims to reverse provisions established
Read moreRecording #305. Dear Members and Advocates, I am reminded of a quote from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that goes “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare’s famous words remind us that a name, no matter how powerful or emotionally charged, does not define the true nature or
Read moreHouse Enrolled Act 1687 reinforces probation requirements for sex offenders who want to move to another county. It also adds new factors for judges to consider before approving a relocation. Those factors include whether the offender has close family ties—such as a spouse, parent, or adult child—in the area, along with stable housing and employment opportunities. The move must also
Read moreAs a school-based therapist in Minneapolis and a probation officer assistant in Anoka County, I urge lawmakers to reevaluate juvenile sex offender registration laws—not just locally, but across Minnesota and the nation. These laws were intended to protect public safety, but they often cause more harm than good. Youth placed on the registry face lifelong barriers to education, employment, housing,
Read moreIn half the country, sex offense civil commitment incarcerates people after they complete their prison sentences. Nationally, more than 6,000 people are held in sex offense civil commitment, according to a 2024 report from the Prison Policy Initiative. While the states that run such programs say they’re focused on rehabilitation, critics have long said the systems seem to be a
Read moreAccomplishments since last monthly meeting to “Change the Narrative” The weekly email campaign to all 160 legislators was organizationally established and kicked off. Emails went out for two consecutive weeks. The first email addressed the Senate & House bill “Registration for Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders”. The second email addressed allowing neurocognitive diseases to be considered throughout the criminal justice
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