Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Facts that Could Dispel Hysteria Go Unmentioned

Another case of a media outlet not necessarily creating hysteria over registered citizens living in a neighborhood, but missing an opportunity to dispel hysteria...or at least to ask whether it's warranted.

The story from Edwardsville KS, near Kansas City, notes that while Missouri has residence restrictions, the state of Kansas has none.
Residents who live nearby said they’ve had to change their routines. 
“The house is locked all the time,” said Marilyn Johnson. “We never used to.” 
Residents said they went to City Hall with questions after learning the four tenants have convictions for murder, rape and other sex crimes. They were not happy with the answers. 
“We just couldn’t believe Kansas doesn’t have a law for this,” said resident Darrell Sands.
Wouldn't it be nice to see, perhaps, an explanation of why Kansas has no residency restrictions...or whether Missouri's restirctions make that state any safer. The story does note that there have been no issues with any of the tenants in question.
Neighbors and police said there have been zero issues so far with the tenants in Edwardsville, but that doesn’t ease concerns. 
“Everybody should have rights, but right now, it seems like they have more rights than we do, and I think that’s a little unfair,” said Sands.
How, one wonders, does being able to live - apparently peaceably - where one wants give one "more rights" than anyone else?

Monday, June 22, 2015

twenty-two opportunities

Twenty-two.
Nebraska authorities made 22 arrests in April and May as part of a national effort to put child predators behind bars.
Those of us who have been through the meat grinder that is our justice system know what those 22 and their families are experiencing. We know kind words and encouragement can ease that overwhelming fear. 

Those 22 have been dealing with the terror for two or three months already. Think back to what it would have meant to you to be able to talk to someone who had already been through this mess, to someone who did not think you were a monster, to someone who was living proof that you could get through this.

This is an opportunity for us to make a difference in the life of any of someone who needs that difference.

If you know any of those 22 people, reach out. Send an encouraging note. Drop off something for supper or a gift card for carryout. Let them know you are thinking of them without judgment. 

Tell them about Nebraskans Unafraid and that we are working on their behalf to change the laws that torment sex offenders and their families.

Let them know that you wish them well.

~ marie

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Minnesota Sex-Offender Lockup Ruled Unconstitutional

A federal judge has declared Minnesota's sex offender treatment program unconstitutional, giving the state's political leaders one last chance to propose solutions that would protect the "fundamental rights" of more than 700 people locked up indefinitely before he imposes remedies himself.

U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank sided with patients who were civilly committed to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program after completing their prison sentences. He agreed that given the program's 20-year history, no one in it has "any realistic hope of ever getting out," even if they do well in treatment and are at low risk of committing new crimes. Instead, he said, it's undisputed that some residents no longer meet the criteria for commitment or could be released into less-restrictive settings.

Read more

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Economics of Being a Sex Offender

Listen to this Freakonomics podcast on the economics of being a sex offender, Making Sex Offenders Pay - and Pay and Pay and Pay. The email that inspired this podcast:
So I just finished my M.A. in forensic psychology at John Jay and started an internship in a new city … I spend most of my days hanging out with lovely people like rapists and pedophiles. At my internship, I primarily do therapy (both group and individual) with convicted sex offenders and it made me realize being a sex offender is a terrible idea (apart from the obvious reasons). It’s economically disastrous! I think it would be interesting to cover the economics of being a sex offender.
This is a fresh look at what our experiences already tell us. Listen to the whole thing.

~ marie
Notes from the Handbasket

Monday, June 15, 2015

Tonight: FEARLESS telling

We all have stories to tell. The search, the arrest, the sentencing, the struggle to survive, the grief, the happy reunion, the neighbors' reactions, the kindness, the cruelty.

With whom do you share your stories? How do your listeners respond? Is there a way to educate when we share our stories? Come share your storytelling (truth-telling!) failures and successes. Your experience can help someone else.

FEARLESS is a collaboration of Nebraskans Unafraid and UNO that counteracts dangerous Nebraska law. Research has shown that isolating Registered Citizens, depriving them of jobs and homes, increases the chances that they will reoffend. Current Nebraska law does exactly that. We live in a state where (research has shown that) sex-offender law makes communities more dangerous.

FEARLESS provides an opportunity for Registered Citizens and their loved ones to connect and learn from one another and support one another. Establishing such social networks reduces the likelihood of reoffense. Even though the reoffense rates for sex offenders are extremely low to start with, there is no excuse for grandstanding politicians who make the state more dangerous with their showboating laws.

FEARLESS takes responsibility where our politicians will not. Please join us at 7 p.m. Monday, June 15, at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, 13232 Blondo Street, Omaha. Park in the east lot and come in through the east entrance.

FEARLESS is exclusively for Registered Citizens and their invited guests.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

FEARLESS: Who to tell, how to tell

At FEARLESS on Monday, June 15, we will talk about how to decide whether to tell people our stories.

What do you consider before telling? We all have someone we regret telling; what warning signs did we miss? On the other hand, we can be surprised by the goodness that comes of telling our stories. How did that happen?

Come share your experiences when deciding whether to tell about your status--or a family member's status--as a Registered Citizen. We can all learn from hearing what happened for someone else. Your experience may be exactly what benefits someone else.

FEARLESS is a collaboration of Nebraskans Unafraid and UNO that counteracts dangerous Nebraska law. Research has shown that isolating Registered Citizens, depriving them of jobs and homes, increases the chances that they will reoffend. Current Nebraska law does exactly that. We live in a state where (research has shown that) sex-offender law makes communities more dangerous.

FEARLESS provides an opportunity for Registered Citizens and their loved ones to connect and learn from one another and support one another. Establishing such social networks reduces the likelihood of reoffense. Even though the reoffense rates for sex offenders are extremely low to start with, there is no excuse for grandstanding politicians who make the state more dangerous with their showboating laws.

FEARLESS takes responsibility where our politicians will not. Please join us at 7 p.m. Monday, June 15, at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, 13232 Blondo Street, Omaha. Park in the east lot and come in through the east entrance.

FEARLESS is exclusively for Registered Citizens and their invited guests.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Champion of Adam Walsh Act is in Trouble

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert is in trouble. He's been charged with evading financial reporting requirements, for allegedly withdrawing $1.7 million from several banks over the past four years.

He apparently agreed to pay a former student-athlete, from Hastert's days as a teacher and coach in Yorkville, Illinois, $3.5 million to hide past "sexual misconduct" on Hastert's part. Hastert is also charged with lying to Federal investigators, in what is becoming an increasingly sordid tale. 



Hastert is not being charged with any sexual misconduct, but when he was in Congress, he championed sex offender registry laws, including the Adam Walsh Act. Wouldn't it be fitting if some day, someone who supported such a horrible law ended up being subject to its abuses of the U.S. Constitution?