NARSOL has completed its 2025 conference, its 17^th consecutive one. It was a wonderful conference. So many thanks go to our conference committees; our attendees, both in-person and livestream; our speakers and workshop presenters; the hotel and its staff; our law enforcement and security teams; and our opposition, who have given us the opportunity to show what we are made of and that we will NOT go away!

Speeches and presentations were of the high quality that is expected at

NARSOL conferences, beginning with Guy Hamilton-Smith’s kick-off speech on Friday morning, through Joshua Hoe’s Saturday night awards banquet speech, concluding with Danielle Bailey’s brilliant presentation Sunday morning.

Conference attendees—both in-person and livestream—may watch any presentation given in the main room again by using your original identification. As soon as possible, those presentations and also many of the others will be available to everyone for viewing on NARSOL’s YouTube channel.

At the awards banquet, the most prestigious award, the Paul Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Pat Borden of AZRSOL. Pat graciously accepted it on behalf of not only herself but also her family and the Arizona organization.

This successfully completed conference sends a message: We are here; we are still here; we will continue to be here.

NARSOL not only stands for National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws. NARSOL stands for an organization that expects those who have caused harm to accept responsibility for that harm. NARSOL then stands with them as they navigate life on a sex offender registry.   We will fight:

• for their dignity and respectful treatment;
• that their constitutional rights are not violated by law enforcement or legislation;
• for their protection from vigilantism, both physical violence and online intimidation;
• for removal of impediments to their rehabilitation;
• for policy and legislative decisions that are grounded in solid research.

This 2025 conference in Atlanta has been a “second chance” conference,

and in summing up what NARSOL stands for and what it fights for on behalf of those we represent, is that not it?

Both the ability and the right to seek and to be granted an attainable second chance.

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AZRSOL . . . The inaugural public policy conference “New Directions in Sexual Offense Policy,” hosted by Arizonans for Rational Sex Offense Laws (AZRSOL), brought together a diverse group of experts, policymakers, and justice professionals to explore evidence-based approaches to sexual offense policy. Held in an academic setting, the conference aimed to challenge the status quo and propose alternatives to current practices. The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Emily Horowitz, Dr. Kristen Zgoba, and Judge Frederic Block, who presented decades of research demonstrating the inefficacy of sexual offense registries in enhancing public safety.

The conference’s evidence-based focus was complemented by powerful personal stories from AZRSOL founders Terry and Patricia Borden and communications director Vicky Campo, who shared their experiences of how current policies impact families and communities. This blend of data-driven analysis and personal narratives provided a comprehensive examination of the issues at hand.

Guy Hamilton-Smith’s presentation stood out for its focus on innovative, cost-effective re-entry models and emphasis on factors associated with desistance from crime. A panel discussion moderated by Hamilton-Smith further explored new directions in sexual offense policy, featuring diverse perspectives from public defenders, restorative justice advocates, and sexual violence prevention experts. Legal expertise was provided by Paul Dubbeling, who shared insights from his successful challenges to sexual offense laws, while Judge Frederic Block offered a valuable judicial perspective on the need for objective approaches in sexual crime cases and potential state-level adoption of legislation similar to the federal First Step Act.

The conference concluded with a networking reception, allowing attendees to connect with speakers, authors, and advocates. Overall, the AZRSOL conference took an important step towards fostering more rational and effective sexual offense policies in Arizona and beyond. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and emphasizing evidence-based approaches, the event provided a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and potential solutions in this complex and often emotionally-charged field.

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