When I was sentence for my crime, and I did it, I was ordered to do 8 years in Prison followed by 10 years probation. During the time I reported to my P.O. they never told me I could petition the Court to remove my Probation and the next thing I knew I was promoted to the Sex Offender List. Is this a “grandfathered” in. What I had been doing during the Probation time made no difference. I guess they thought since I was on Probation, I was out in the world “raping and pillaging. the country. It is frustrating to have to continue “paying”Air Force Base near me. At first it was being barred for 5 years. At the end of the five years,I got another letter from the Base Commander baring me for another 10 years. This came about when I was trying to get the offense removed from the computer so I could access the Base. I am only allowed to use the Medical Facilities and I have to notify the Security Police when I will becoming and the time. I have, not been able to meet face to face with anyone in the Security department. This came about at least 10 years after I got out of Prison, and I don’t get letters back when I submit paper work trying to change this act of injustice.

Great story Sean. Congratulations on your success. I don’t believe the number is that low, honestly. Only 2%. In my SO group, there were 4 of us. I will stand on the belief that 3 of the 4 of us will never re-offend, especially me. Made a HUGE mistake in a difficult period of life. I have been successfully pulled myself through that with the help and commitment of some great family, friends, and wonderful, honest, in your face counselors. I see where I went wrong and am aware to avoid that in the future. Live for my family, myself. Now, just to find that all elusive job to help me live. (eye roll).

I’m proud of you Sean. Proud of all of us who fight for our rights, our lives, our families futures. We didn’t just do this to ourselves, we brought a whole lot of people with us. My poor neighbors.

Be blessed. Stay blessed.

ALMOST ALL of the draconian restrictions were statutorily mandated special conditions of probation in 1997. The requirement that you inform your college that you are a registered offender was one of the first “new” requirements that I was subject to after my plea in June of 2000. I dropped out of the masters program that Was enrolled in because of that. We are all still wondering how the State of Florida managed to “permit” counties and municipalities to apply residency restrictions to people convicted prior to 2004-2005 who were off probation when the state has acknowledged that it can’t do that to the very same people. Oh, wait. they said that they CHOSE not to do that, right?

Trying to heal:
I know what you are saying about the PO. My last PO (for 2 1/2 years) was named Kermit.
(insert “frog jokes” here)
He was, by far, the best PO I have ever had. When we sat down for our first talk he stated to me.
80% of the people I see did their crime, and will do their crime again. And are guilty.
18% of the people I see are on the fence with me. Their file has holes in it as to whether they actually DID the crime, or not.

THE FINAL 2%, you fall into. Where the system failed them. They were set-up and were unable to provide ANY defense. They are not guilty.

I had a couple of times where I had violated my “conditions”. One was a friend was in the process of committing suicide and she called me to say good bye. I went to her, in the next county and got there to save her life.
I called Kermit, told him what happened and where do I turn myself in…

He told me that he cant violate someone who just saved another persons life.
I have been off paper since 2000. Kermit still comes by to chat; I consider him a friend who helped me thru a real tough time in my life.

States closer to the Founding Fathers

Now at this time yes

On the heels of these comments, I just want to mention that when I first sat with my probation officer, who knew every detail of my offense, he said to me (and I quote), “I believe that once every one has paid their debt, they deserve a second chance.” He was the best. Unfortunately. he was promoted and left my PO office, and my new PO was a woman. She was great with me but Enough said.