Inside Vermont’s Radical Approach to Helping the Formerly Incarcerated Succeed
State policies nearly everywhere banish those with a sexual offense in their past. Vermont does the opposite by building communities around them—with dramatically positive results.
As Florida’s Unhoused Sex Offense Registrant Population Booms, Group Asks UN for Help
South Florida’s political leaders have celebrated their commitment to the unhoused—but won’t admit that those placed on offense registries are increasingly becoming unhoused.
Fake Victims Lead to Real Arrests in Online Child Sex Stings
Federally funded police task forces carry out thousands of online stings each year, despite little evidence that they prevent abuse.
Why the U.S. Marshals Spend Millions on Sex-Offense Registrant Sweeps
The real aim of these operations might be to boost support for cops.
New York Watchdogs Lack Data to Track Judges’ Compliance With Bail Reform
Although the new law took effect in January, state data showing how courts are applying it won’t be available until July 2021. And without funding, courts in small towns and villages may never collect the data.
COVID-19 Hit New York City Homeless Shelters Hard, But Some Are Forced to Stay There
Many city residents who’ve served time for sexual crimes have families who want them back, but a 19-year-old law keeps them away.
Wisconsin Came Close To Changing A Rule That Often Leaves People On Sex Offense Registries Homeless
Republicans are leading an effort to get rid of blanket restrictions on where some people with sex-offense records can live. A Democratic governor is blocking them.
New York State Judges Are Jailing People Who Can’t Afford Their Fines
State law must change to stop judges from using jail time to force the poor into paying penalties they can’t afford, says one advocacy group.
New Law Forces Dozens on Tennessee’s Sex Offender Registry From Their Homes
The legislation also makes it illegal for many ex-offenders to be alone with their own children.
Florida’s Sex Offender Registry Proves Inescapable
Critics say the state’s policy of keeping non-residents registered bloats the list—and harms public safety.
Charlotte District Attorney Says He Won’t Stop Prosecuting Panhandlers
A judge’s decision could end the practice of jailing people for soliciting money along streets and highways, but DA Spencer Merriweather has been slow to embrace the change.
Texas D.A. Who Sent Woman To Prison For Five Years for Voting Made Her Own Election Mistake
Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson prosecuted Crystal Mason for casting an illegal ballot. But Wilson escaped charges for a possible election violation of her own.
Why Sex Offender Registries Keep Growing Even as Sexual Violence Rates Fall
Lists that include out-of-state visitors are inflating the numbers and keeping fear at a boil.
As Deadline Approaches for Homeless Ex-Offenders in Florida, County Threatens to Jail Them
A few miles from Miami International Airport, outside of Hialeah, sits a tent camp of about 280 homeless people. There’s no electricity or running water and no bathrooms. News reports describe the stench of human waste and garbage, tents that flood when it rains, and flies, mosquitoes, and rats infesting the area. “Animals live better than this,” one resident […]