The Outspoken Offender

In 2006 (the year I was arrested), Title I of the Adam Walsh Act, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), wholly rewrote the federal standards for sex offender registration and notification. It also created a new baseline of sex offender registration and notification standards for jurisdictions to implement. SORNA also established a 3-tier system: Tier I offenders must appear once per year for 15 yearsTier II offenders must appear every six months for 25 yearsTier III offenders must appear every three months for life Since the enactment, only 18 states have substantially implemented SORNA’s requirements. Courts have also discussed the constitutionality of SORNA and if the Act is considered punishment vs. administrative. Furthermore, there is often mass confusion on how SORNA operates in each state and what this means to individuals convicted of felony sex offenses. RESOURCES:2020 SORNA Guide 

On December 10, 2007, I self-surrendered to FCI Seagoville, a low-security federal prison outside of Dallas. To this day, I have dreams about my time in Seagoville and the traumatic personal situations I had to endure. Ironically, it wasn't so much the sex offense charge that caused me issues. It was my family challenges on the outside that brought me the most pain. This personal podcast episode is about my personal experience at Seagoville, all 49 months, including 62 days in the SHU, or hole as inmates call it. Parents or loved ones with someone serving time may find this podcast valuable as I touch on what to expect at a low-security federal prison.

On August 27, 2005, two registered sex offenders were murdered in Bellingham, Washington by a vigilante posing as an FBI agent. Victor Vazquez, 68, and Hank Eisses, 49, were shot dead from single gunshot wounds to the head. The killer, Michael Anthony Mullen, got the victims' names, addresses, and photographs from the Whatcom County Sheriff's sex offender notification website.Join me for this special on-location podcast episode from Bellingham, WA. I view the house on Northwest Avenue where the murders took place and walk through the middle-class neighborhood. I also discuss Mullen's case and provide a few tips on how you can protect yourself from vigilantism. Additional Information:Sex Offender Stigma: An Exploration of Vigilantism against Sex Offenders

In today's interview, meet Melissa McFadden. Her son, Tony, is currently incarcerated for a sex offense he did not commit. Today, Melissa helps people on the sex offense registry find housing and is the President of Reset Missouri.Watch Melissa's powerful story today on The Outspoken Offender. This important studio discussion will open hearts and minds about the struggles registrants and family members face. It's all because of an America's punitive sex offense registry that pushes (and most of the time goes over) the constitutional line. *In need of housing in the St. Louis, MO area? Have you been forced to register on America's punitive sex offense registry? More information on Reset Missouri can be found at: https://www.resetmissouri.orgPrefer the video version of this interview?: https://youtu.be/X6GkQYWZldY

In the study conducted by Federal Probation, A Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice, of the property managers and owners surveyed, 67% indicated that they inquire about criminal history on rental applications. In addition, 85.6% of property managers stated they would not rent to people with felony sex offense convictions. These statistics are startling. Is it possible to find housing and success while on the sex offender registry? Yes. My discussion with Jay, a prison advocate, and podcast producer, proves that it comes down to attitude. Jay states, "People like me shouldn't succeed. I've proven to everybody that I can succeed even though I'm in this mess."Join me for this positive podcast episode about people forced to register and the ability to move forward with hope and success. CHECK OUT JAY'S PODCAST:https://anchor.fm/russell-lee4CHECK OUT THIS INTERESTING STUDY (WA State Specific)https://www.theoutspokenoffender.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Washington-Residents-Perceptions-of-Sex-Offenders-and-Sex-Offender-Policies.pdf

A recent study (California Department of Mental Health tried to suppress the data) showed just 6.5% of untreated sexually violent predators were arrested for a new sex crime within 4.8 years of release from a locked mental facility. Even with this data, civil commitment facilities still exist. Minnesota is one of 20 states across the nation that has a civil commitment program for former sex offenders.With no release dates, advocates against these facilities are calling it a "death sentence" because there's no clear way for a person to be released from the program. A group of men at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program's Moose Lake facility even held a 2-week hunger strike to protest the lack of a clear path to release. Though the hunger strike has since ended, these facilities still exist, holding men indefinitely. With only 13 people that have been fully released from the Moose Lake program in its 27-year history, the chances of being released is extremely low. MORE INFORMATIONSpring Fundraiser: Learn MoreStudy: Assessing the Real Risk of Sexually Violent Predators: Doctor Padilla’s Dangerous DataPBS Article: Inside Minnesota’s sex offender facility, where no one has ever been released 

I have a special guest that you’ll meet here in just a few minutes. His name is Jeremy and he’s on the sex offense registry for a 2013 conviction. Last month, he was negatively portrayed on Fox 13 news in Utah for going onto school property. His daughters go to Bear River High School in Tremonton. Jeremy was blasted on the news for helping build props for an upcoming school play. Though he had a supervisor with him, either his wife or the drama teacher, there was uproar in the small, conservative community. Here to tell his side of the story, and how the negative attention has affected his children and family, is Jeremy Rose.

Has the media created a national moral panic on sex crimes and cyber pedophilia? In this brief podcast episode, I read from the report, "Sex Crimes in the Media" (Tanya Serisier, School of Sociology) and the media representations of child sexual abuse."The dominant media image of the rapist is a marginal male driven by sexual desire; a dangerous stranger lurking in the bushes (Jewkes, 2015). Entertainment media especially reproduce the psychotic stranger stereotype, with high numbers of violent or homicidal serial rapists featured in genres such as television crime shows (Horeck,2004). This imagery is in stark contrast to the statistical reality that rape is most commonly committed by “normal” men from the same social sphere as, and usually known to, their victims." - Sex Crimes in the Media (2017)READ FULL REPORT

Once again, people living on the sex offender registry are treated like modern-day lepers, and this time it's at your local church. With law enforcement estimates that 88% of sexual abuse is never reported to authorities, nine of ten people who have sexually abused children will NOT have a criminal background nor be on the sex offender registry. Churches do not need to fear the sex offender or the new person sitting in the back pew. People required to register have the right to worship just like any individual in the United States. This right is protected by our constitution.Instead of churches banning people required to register, pastors and church leaders need to work on ministering rather than treating people like modern-day lepers. By doing this, we'll have happier and safer congregations. Report: Child Sexual Abuse in Protestant Christian Congregations

"Soul Murder", a phrase coined by Dr. James Gilligan, professor of psychology and law at NYU, can be used to describe incarceration. In other words, the trauma of prison can destroy someone's personality and their sense of being alive. This negative effect on someone's life can also be described as Post-Incarceration Syndrome. How does one move past trauma from being incarcerated? What about the trauma from being on the sex offender registry? This podcast episode offers a few tips on how to move past trauma and regain your sense of worth. “A trauma can be defined as any significant negative event or incident that shaped us. It can emerge from any impactful instance that made us feel bad, scared, hurt, or ashamed. By this definition, we have all experienced some degree of trauma in the process of growing up." - Trauma expert, Dr. Peter Levine.

There are at least four cities in the United States that have passed fair chance housing legislation: Portland, Seattle, Oakland, and Richmond. In addition, other cities have a variation of fair chance housing policies: Urbana, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; San Francisco, California; Newark, New Jersey and growing numbers of other jurisdictions.Are these fair chance housing ordinances actually fair for people living on the sex offender registry? In this podcast episode, I take a look at these ordinances and how they affect registrants and their families. With a high number of homeless sex offenders, fair chance housing is important now than ever.Seattle Fair Chance Housing FAQOakland Fair Chance Housing FAQFair Chance Housing Website

A false idea has gained traction. Is it too late to reverse?In 1986, an article in Psychology Today, a magazine written for a general audience, stated, "Most untreated sex offenders released from prison go on to commit more offenses — indeed, as many as 80 percent do." That article was written about a counseling program run about authors, and the statement was made to increase business for them, according to Adam Liptak, a New York Times author. These false recidivism claims ("frightening and high") have now made there way into court decisions and have influenced heavy restrictions for sex offenders since the 1980's.Join me for this eye-opening podcast and learn the true recidivism rates for convicted sex offenders.BJS Study: https://tinyurl.com/y4tfyax9BJS Press Release: https://tinyurl.com/y2w6flxo

Are people born with pedophilia? Do pedophiles deserve sympathy? Before we can answer these questions, we must remember there are differences between being a pedophile and a child molester. People CAN choose to molest children, but the opposite may be true for living with pedophilia. In this honest podcast episode, I discuss research from James Cantor, Ph.D, an international expert on pedophilia. Agree or disagree, his research is stunning. Studies are now showing gray matter anomalies in pedophiles with and without a history of child sexual offending. Dr. Cantor states, "Pedophilic men have significantly less white matter, which is the connective tissue that is responsible for communication between different regions in the brain. Pedophiles perform more poorly on various tests of brain function, tend to be shorter in height, and are three times more likely to be left-handed or ambidextrous (characteristics that are observable before birth)." The goal of this episode is to bring forth new research that is often not discussed. You are free to create your own conclusions and beliefs. Links:Prevention Project DunkelfeldDr. James Cantor ResearchVirtuous PedophilesWhat Can Be Done About Pedophilia? (The Atlantic Article)

When we are going through difficult times in our lives, the need for a community of support is crucial to our recovery. If you or a loved-on has been affected by the criminal justice system or has been placed on the sex offender registry, there is a new online support forum available. I wanted to create a new forum because the support for registrants and families is lacking. Living on the registry is hard. And what may be worse is witnessing a loved-one being ostracized, harassed, or is just having a hard time finding work or a place to live. You can join this new, safe forum by visiting: https://social.theoutspokenoffender.com  

Do you have a loved-one on the sex offender registry? Is your life negatively affected because a loved-one is under SORNA restrictions? Millions of people are "Sex Offenders by Association" due to strident rules, public humiliation, and shame because of the registry. In this short podcast episode, I'll read a letter from a wife who's husband is on the sex offender database. Her life has been turned upside down by the registry. The sex offender registry IS punishment. I hope her letter brings more understanding to people all-over-the-world on how the registry only brings heartache, not public safety. 

The Match Group which owns 45 dating apps is cracking down on registered sex offenders from using their services. In fact, a House subcommittee is investigating popular dating services such as Tinder and Bumble for allegedly allowing minors and sex offenders to use their services.As Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, does this mean that registered sex offenders are banned from finding love? No, of course not. Going on a date, or even marriage is still possible while on the "list", but you'll need to do it the old-fashioned way.

America's sex offender registry offers no additional protection for children and our communities. This statement has been proven in numerous studies throughout the years.So, if the registry doesn't work, what else should we try? In this informative podcast episode, I discuss three possible options: Circles of Accountability, chaperone programs, and support and awareness groups. According to studies I discuss in this episode, all three options are more effective than national sex offender databases in reducing recidivism. So why aren't communities more active in implementing these programs?Join me as I discuss this important and conversational topic affecting almost a million people in the United States. Links to studies/articles discussed in this episode:Is It Finally Time For a Different Approach to the Post-sentence Management of Sex Offenders?Results from a randomized controlled trial in MinnesotaCoSA Canada       

On May 17, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed federal Megan's Law, an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Act. That set the guidelines for the state statutes, requiring states to notify the public of registrants. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, as of 2016, there were 859,500 registered sex offenders in the United States.This important podcast episode discusses the collateral damage to children and families of registrants. Are children and shamed because their loved one is on the registry? Are families harassed by neighbors? These questions and more are answered and discussed on this episode of The Outspoken Offender.

Can you shed the sex offender stigma or label? Yes. In fact, one man is doing it.In this episode, I briefly discuss the story of Justin Vargas, a teen basketball scout in Phoenix, Arizona. Vargas was convicted of sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl when he was 23, and which requires him to register as a sex offender. For the last three years, he's been a scout and performs a very important role for teen basketball players. Vargas continues to prove himself over and over, but fear and hate persist from parents and the community.So is it possible to shed the sex offender label? In this important podcast episode, I talk about shedding the label for yourself, rather than people that don't know you. Take accountability. Take responsibility. Do good things. These are all important steps in shedding the sex offender label.

Haters are everywhere...online and off! So how do we deal with people that look down on us? I give several tips on how to effectively manage people who criticize, denounce, and spread hate on social media and in the real world."My hope is to encourage registered citizens, former inmates, and anyone facing stereotypes and social ostracism to move beyond society's labels." - The Outspoken Offender.

Let's take a few moments and discuss a few of these misconceptions about a class of people that are often misunderstood. I follow up with real, accurate statistics while debunking falsehoods and rumors about people on the registry.