A recently released man is challenging Ohio’s sex offender parole law as unconstitutional because it forbids him from seeing his 14-year-old son without approval and supervision of his probation officer. In fact, he has only seen his son for 12 hours in the past year. He is not even permitted to possess a photograph of his son.
He testified before a federal district court on Monday that he, “was actually closer to him when I was in prison because I could talk to him more.” He is seeking a seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow him to return home to his wife and child.
The Ohio Justice and Policy Center is representing the man.
Not even allowing him to have a photo of his son is punishment gone too far. 5 years of supervised hell is what he is going to be going through. Yes, he committed a crime and there are consequences, but the punishment should also fit the crime and keeping him from his son is cruel and senseless. I guess those that have imposed these restrictions do not care how his own child is affected by this.
Also cruel to the son, but the law doesn’t care.
A link to the story may help fill in the details so people can see how ridiculous the situation is.
https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/st-lucie-county/crime/springfield-township-man-claims-ohios-sex-offender-parole-law-is-illegal-because-he-cant-visit-son
5 full years of supervised probation after serving 3 years in prison. Anyone familiar with probation knows that even a single, minor violation could put him straight back into prison. All it does is inflict punishment on his wife and son, which seems to be the pattern with state officials. They want to alienate sex offenders from their families as well as from society.
prayers for you. The Registry does more harm then good. I lost my family because they rather protect their lifestyle then love their member