When onerous Florida laws and policies lead to suicide
This past year I had many opportunities to participate in our FAC Meet & Greets throughout the state. At one gathering, I had the opportunity to meet a husband and wife who later reached out to me with the husband sharing his skill sets that we could use in our movement. As a gifted speaker, he also volunteered to speak at one of the 67 legislative delegation meetings being held throughout the state. Our legislative chair Ann would be speaking alongside him.
The husband had worked hard throughout his life, making wise decisions that, over time, led to two successful careers. Then he was caught up in a sting—an entrapment at an adult-only website.
After serving a long prison sentence, he was on probation and dealing continually with harassment from the local authorities. This man took full responsibility for what he did and was working diligently to reintegrate back into society as a productive, law-abiding citizen. But the harassment never stopped, nor the onerous, nonsensical laws that he had to follow or be violated.
He was forced to take therapy classes and discuss events publicly that should have only been discussed privately with a therapist, causing damage for him.
As a child, he was molested for years by two different family members, never receiving therapy when it could have helped him.
For the first time in his life, he found that following all laws, working hard, and doing the right thing no longer mattered. He would never be given a second chance in life. Even with the help of a loving wife and friends, he could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
His wife and he faced ostracization from other people and constant intimidation by probation and law enforcement.
His wife remained strong for him and was a positive force in his life. She thought he was beginning to handle everything until the day before this past Thanksgiving. They had a good day with friends, making her think he was through the worst part until the next morning when she walked out into the garage and found that he had hanged himself. She was the one who had to cut him down.
Prison did not cause his suicide; what happened to him after his release was the cause. The roadblocks placed in his pathway were insurmountable.
His story is being told with the permission of his widow.
I think reading this most of use can relate in some way. I have had support from family but that is not enough to feel free. The other day 2 cops came to my office and I went into panic attack! I have had thoughts of suicide while driving but the image of my son kept me strong! This needs to stop, it makes no sense after your prison sentence you have to be on a list for life! We need to show the courts the outcome of this registry is damaging for the community as q whole. We need to get numbers on how many crimes has been stopped because the registry and how many crimes has been solved because the registry ! If we can show less than 5% then there is no reason to keep this registry active when is causing only damage to the community!