Newsletter
The Advocate Newsletter
Browse the complete archive of AFC’s newsletter, The Advocate. Click any issue to download the PDF.
The Advocate — Spring 2026
Spring 2026
Covers AFC’s growing presence at the Colorado Capitol, bi-weekly advocacy meetings, and the quarterly general meeting. Also features national legal developments including an Arizona registry ruling, an 8th Circuit decision striking down Missouri’s sign-posting law, research on the harms of Megan’s Law, and a West Virginia domestic violence registry proposal.
The Advocate — Fall 2025
Fall 2025
Highlights AFC’s new website launch, resumed in-person evening meetings in Westminster and Littleton, and work with the SOMB to revise Section 5.5 of the Standards and Guidelines on the role of family members. Also features articles on PARSOL’s prevention-focused approach to child sexual abuse, the Colorado Supreme Court’s consideration of whether lifetime registration constitutes punishment in People v. Beagle, and a Florida Action Committee critique of Meta’s registrant ban.
The Advocate — Summer 2025
Summer 2025
Reports on the last-minute cancellation of the NARSOL conference in Grand Rapids due to threats and its rescheduling to Atlanta. Covers AFC’s continued biweekly meetings and organizational restructuring, a NARSOL lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s ‘SEX OFFENDER’ labeling on driver’s licenses, the Ellingburg case at the U.S. Supreme Court with the Cato Institute urging reconsideration of registry laws under the Ex Post Facto Clause, the disbanding of VFW Post 12226 at Sterling Correctional Facility, and Johns Hopkins’ Prevention Global research initiative.
Advocates for Change — April 2025
April 2025
Features a message from the chair under the theme “Innovation at Work: Leading Solutions for a Better Future.” Covers AFC’s mission to support those with sex offenses and their families, advocate for constitutional rights, and educate the public and lawmakers. Includes updated membership information and an editorial policy encouraging submissions from inmates, parolees, and members.
The Advocate — Spring 2024
Spring 2024
Features a message from Chair Pat Harris on improved parole conditions and continued housing and treatment challenges in CDOC. Includes an inspirational story of a parolee who earned a CDL license, coverage of the Wismer v. Stancil case on Colorado’s inability to provide required sex offense treatment, NARSOL’s Florida affiliate addressing the United Nations about registry and residency restriction harms, the SOMB Treatment Solutions Committee report to the Joint Judiciary, and the AFC Family Resource Guide.
The Advocate — Spring 2023
Spring 2023
Covers AFC’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary on the SOMB Sunset bill (SB23-164), with proposed amendments including treatment provider choice, juvenile standards for children prosecuted in adult court, and a new committee to address treatment delays. Also features the People v. Vigil ruling protecting Fifth Amendment rights in treatment, Women Against the Registry’s first Washington D.C. advocacy event, the return of Pell Grants for incarcerated students, and a personal essay by Marsha Brewer on the importance of family support groups.
The Advocate — Fall 2022
Fall 2022
Features a message from the chair on coalition work with Colorado-CURE and other advocacy groups ahead of the SOMB Sunset Review. Includes Marsha Brewer’s essay on the slow progress of criminal justice reform with coverage from the Denver Post and The Guardian on halfway house issues and life sentences. Also covers recidivism research by Dr. Karl Hanson, the Pennsylvania SORNA ruling in Commonwealth v. Torsilieri, the full AFC Family Resource Guide table of contents, and the sudden suspension of Colorado’s Take Two prison-work program.
The Advocate — Summer 2021
Summer 2021
Covers AFC’s intensive work on the SOMB Reauthorization bill (HB21-1320), including hiring a lobbyist and ten hours of testimony before the House Judiciary seeking reforms to polygraph use, treatment provider choice, and the SVP label. Also reports on the Colorado Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in T.B. that mandatory lifetime juvenile registration violates the Eighth Amendment, new research on sex offense registration from Cambridge University Press, and the American Law Institute’s sweeping recommendations to limit registries and end public notification.
The Advocate — Summer 2020
Summer 2020
Published during the COVID-19 pandemic, covers AFC’s shift to virtual advocacy and the transition to teletherapy for treatment. Features the Colorado State Auditor’s critical report on SOMB conflicts of interest and lack of evidence-based standards, an opinion piece from The Hill arguing SORNA is unconstitutional, research on eradicating the ‘offender’ label, survey results on registry impacts by Dr. Lisa Anne Zilney, a moving account of a remembrance vigil at Sterling Correctional Facility for COVID victims, and a favorable Tennessee registry ruling in Doe v. Rausch.
The Advocate — Winter/Spring 2020
Winter/Spring 2020
Focuses on AFC’s legislative work to change parole language around ‘progress in treatment’ and expand treatment provider choice, supported by DORA’s Sunset Review recommendations. Includes AFC’s testimony to the Joint Judiciary criticizing the SOMB’s lack of data collection and treatment provider oversight, profiles of women-led reform organizations NARSOL, ACSOL, and Women Against the Registry, and AFC’s participation in the Governor’s Colorado Justice Systems Forum on criminal justice reform and recidivism reduction.
The Advocate — Spring 2019
Spring 2019
Reports on AFC’s efforts to reverse the Attorney General’s ruling requiring ‘progress in treatment’ for parole eligibility under the Lifetime Supervision Act. Covers meetings with AG Weiser’s office on ten key issues including polygraph use and family separation, a visit with DOC Executive Director Dean Williams about treatment backlogs, a detailed side-by-side comparison of parole conditions in Colorado versus another state revealing stark differences in restrictions and reintegration support, and Part 1 of ‘Perpetual Shame,’ a first-person account of registry-driven community ostracism.
The Advocate — October 2018
October 2018
Addresses the importance of person-first language, announces AFC’s social media presence, and pays tribute to deceased board member Patricia Martin. Covers a meeting with the newly restructured Colorado Parole Board, a published Q&A exchange educating the public on sex offense issues, new SOMB standards on differentiating client risk in treatment groups, CDOC requirements for designated support persons, and a New York Times article on the constitutional concerns of indefinite civil commitment of approximately 5,000 people nationwide.
The Advocate — Winter 2018
Winter 2018
Reviews 2017 accomplishments including progress against the polygraph with retired Judge Denis Maes, the landmark Miller case where Judge Matsch found Colorado’s registry unconstitutional, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Packingham ruling overturning social media bans. Also covers legislative prospects for 2018 including sentencing reform and parole reduction, Parole Director Melissa Roberts’ improvements to housing and employment outcomes, bipartisan criminal justice reform momentum in Congress and the states, and a letter from a parolee in Nebraska contrasting Colorado’s restrictive conditions with a more supportive approach.
The Advocate — September 2017
September 2017
Announces AFC’s board restructuring under new Chair Pat Harris and details the organization’s extensive involvement in SOMB committees rewriting the Standards and Guidelines. Features the landmark Judge Matsch ruling declaring Colorado’s Sex Offender Registration Act unconstitutional under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, a meeting with the Parole Board on full-boarding procedures and treatment barriers, a polygraph committee update with retired Judge Dennis Maes, and notable court rulings from Pennsylvania (Commonwealth v. Muniz) and the U.S. Supreme Court (Packingham v. North Carolina).
The Advocate — May 2017
May 2017
Opens with a message comparing the sex offender registry to India’s Criminal Tribes Act and its generational social ostracism. Covers AFC’s 2016 achievements including mandating SOMB data collection (HB16-1345), securing treatment provider choice, and advancing polygraph reform with Judge Maes. Also reports on meetings with the Parole Board about incomplete files and paroling criteria, legislative bills on individualized parole conditions (HB17-1308) and community-based treatment for low-risk individuals (SB17-141), and a discussion of fear-based policymaking around playgrounds and public spaces.
The Advocate — 20th Issue
November 2015
Features a message from Chair Carolyn Turner reflecting on the long legislative process of reforming sex offense laws. Covers “Knockout Awards” honoring Laurie Rose Kepros and Mervyn Davies, the launch of a Google Group for member communication, updates on parole policy including the CARAS risk assessment tool, and alternative options under the Colorado Violation Decision Making Process.
The Advocate — 18th Issue
April 2015
Emphasizes the importance of letters from incarcerated individuals in shaping AFC’s advocacy work, and reviews six years of accomplishments including the DOCCA lawsuit, removal of “no known cure” language, and external program reviews. Also covers proposed changes to SOMB Standards and Guidelines and Parole Board updates.
The Advocate — 17th Issue
December 2014
Thanks members and donors for their ongoing support. Features the SOMB Sunset Review, a family survey launched by the SOMB seeking input on experiences with the system, updates on the Ankeney lawsuit and SOTMP, and information about the annual AFC holiday party.
The Advocate — 16th Issue
September 2014
Invites families to monthly meetings and highlights recent guest speakers including public defender Laurie Rose Kepros, re-entry specialist William Case discussing “ban the box” employment initiatives, and retired Judge Roxanne Bailin on the punitive nature of the justice system. Also covers SOMB/SOTMP updates and the Ankeney lawsuit.
The Advocate — 15th Issue
May 2014
Addresses AFC’s organizational growing pains and board transitions while measuring the group’s successes, including the removal of “no known cure” language from statute, increased parole releases, and external evaluations of SOTMP and SOMB. Also covers a meeting with the new head of parole.
The Advocate — 14th Issue
January 2014
Announces the leadership transition as founding chair Ann Harris steps down and introduces new co-chairs Carolyn Turner and Glenice Martinez. Covers AFC’s meetings with new DOC Executive Director Rick Raemisch, new DOCCA lawsuit FAQs, and bills to watch in the upcoming legislative session.
The Advocate — 14th Issue
June 2013
Covers the tragic murder of DOC Executive Director Tom Clements and its impact on reform efforts. Features articles on the demise of “no known cure” language, voices from incarcerated individuals, and book recommendations.
The Advocate — 13th Issue
March 2013
Centers on the release of the Outside Evaluator Report assessing the Colorado DOC’s Sex Offender Treatment and Monitoring Program (SOTMP), which validated many of AFC’s concerns. Also covers the launch of the Colorado Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) program.
The Advocate — 12th Issue
December 2012
Highlights AFC’s attendance at the RSOL (Reform Sex Offender Laws) conference in Albuquerque, updates on outside evaluator interviews, DOCCA lawsuit progress, a polygraph research review, proposed changes to SOMB Standards and Guidelines, and the Colorado COSA update.
The Advocate — 10th Issue
May 2012
Reports on AFC’s legislative successes including testimony before House and Senate Judiciary Committees that led to a $100,000 allocation for an independent monitor to assess the SOTMP. Also covers discussion of the Canadian treatment model by Dr. William Marshall and debunking myths about sex offenses.
The Advocate — 9th Issue
February 2012
Announces the filing of the Department of Corrections Class Action Lawsuit (DOCCA) in U.S. District Court, a major milestone supported by over $40,000 in fundraising. Also covers AFC’s 2011 highlights, the potential hiring of an independent monitor for the sex offender treatment program, and updates on the Adam Walsh Act.
The Advocate — 7th Issue
August 2011
Announces the resignation of AFC co-founder and chair Annie Wallen due to family medical issues, and introduces the new board of directors. Covers a meeting with State Representative Su Ryden, DOC/SOTMP updates, parole board changes, and the topic of trauma therapy.
The Advocate — 6th Issue
May 2011
Features an in-depth examination of polygraph testing in sex offender treatment, based on a presentation about the unreliability of polygraphs and the lack of oversight over polygraphers. Also covers the SOMB reauthorization process and updates from DOCCA.
The Advocate — 5th Issue
January 2011
Celebrates AFC’s first birthday and reflects on the organization’s rapid growth since its November 2009 founding. Includes a legislative update on the reauthorization of the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB), a guest address by Rick Levinson, and insider articles from incarcerated individuals.
The Advocate — 3rd Issue
August 2010
Reaffirms AFC’s vision and mission statement centered on advocacy, education, and reintegration. Features articles on legislative and legal news, the SOMB conference, community corrections, and the adoption of “People First Language” to avoid dehumanizing labels.
The Advocate — Inaugural Issue
March 2010
Introduces the founding of Advocates for Change, born from the disbanded CURE Sex Offender Issues Group (SOIG) in Colorado. Outlines the organization’s mission to advocate for fair treatment and constitutional rights of those convicted of sex offenses and their families. Covers legislative efforts, support for a class action lawsuit, and calls for membership.