The Sex Offender Registry Changed How I See Homelessness
In 2020, after 10 years in prison, I was getting ready to come home—I just needed a place to live. Once out of prison I would be required to register as a sex offender, so the Tennessee Department of Correction said my release address needed to be registry-compliant. One reentry staff member said that eventually if I couldn’t find a place, they’d ship me back to the county where I was convicted and label me “transient.” I’d have had to re-register with the local sheriff’s department once a month, rather than once a year.
Four different people stepped up and offered to let me stay at their place, for free, but all four of their addresses were rejected. Within 1,000 feet of a school, a church, a park. One was rejected because of an HOA.
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It’s a sobering reminder how close I am to homelessness myself. My 401k was liquidated and I’m living on credit card debt to survive. Can’t find work anywhere due to being on the registry.
Reminds me of some of the science fiction movies, not so fiction anymore, becoming a reality?? Finding a place to live is like finding hens teeth? It’s not a right anymore its a privilege at least for a select few? So much for the good ole USA the land of the free!!!! Life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness is quickly becoming a fading image,