A Researcher's Request: For folks in California's L.A. County ONLY

9-9-2013 California:

From Nicole Pittman, Raised on the registry.

Hi Friends, Nicole Pittman, the author of the Human Rights Watch report, “Raised on the Registry: The Irreparable Harm of Placing Children on Sex Offender Registries in the US” brings great news to folks.

BBC journalist, Jennifer Forde, and a small team recently relocated to Los Angeles to make a series of documentaries. BBC’s intention is to make a thoughtful, objective film about a subject which is normally approached with great emotion and prejudice. BBC has decided to focus one of the films on the sex offender registry in L.A. and are keen to speak to people based in LA County.

Note: If someone was on the registry, but no longer is, you might want to check on this as well.

Jennifer and her team have already done significant research on the issue, meeting with local probation officers, local advocates, 290s, and therapists, amongst others. They are looking for individuals on the registry (adults, youth, or adults who were put on the register as juveniles) who are based in LA County and have a compelling story of sex offender registration.

Possible Story:

The story I have suggested is an investigative look into the real story behind the “revolving door of parole” of sex offenders in L.A. As many of you know, CNN’s Anderson 360 have been reporting that due to overcrowding in California prison’s convicted sex offenders arrested and often spend less than 24 hours in jail. See Revolving door parole.

This is sensationalism at its best and needs to be further investigated. My research shows that most convicted individuals on the sex offender registry are being arrested for technical violations (not paying fees, GPS monitor malfunctions, etc.) NOT for reoffending or preying on children, as the CNN report would suggest.

This is just one idea. BBC is looking for any individuals on the sex offender registry in L.A. to tell their story. I think this is a very good opportunity to share the real story behind sex offender laws in the US. My experiences with the BBC on sex offender registration issues have been extraordinary. As a media outlet located outside the US, they have an international perspective on the US criminal justice system and are very aware that the US has some of the harshest sex offender laws in the world.

If you would like to share your story please contact the journalist, Jennifer Forde. Jennifer is cc’d on this email and her information is listed directly below.

Cell: (213)280-3669
Email: Jennifer.Forde@bbc.co.uk

Best,
Nicole Pittman

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