ADVOCACY NETWORK

~Emily Horowitz, Ph.D., is an associate professor of sociology at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY. She serves as a director at the National Center for Reason and Justice, an organization that supports the falsely accused and/or wrongfully convicted and works for child protective laws based on science and research. She is on the advisory committee for the regional advocacy group Restorative Action Alliance and she has been featured speaker at NARSOL conferences. She authored the book “Protecting Our Kids? How Sex Offender Laws are Failing Us”. You can watch this debate from 2018 where she makes a compelling case for abolishing the registry. In Emily’s new book, “From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Crime Laws Based on Facts, Not Fear”, she shares detailed narratives from the experiences of those on registries and their loved ones, and reveals the social impact and cycle of violence that results from dehumanizing and banishing those who have already been held accountable. Emily can be reached at ehorowitz@sfc.edu.

~Bonnie Burkhardt is the author of the book “Manufacturing Criminals”. She is a software engineer and president of her company, Blue Ridge Software Consulting. She has a top-secret security clearance and over 35 years of experience intercepting and analyzing signals for the Department of Defense. In addition to writing software, she has worked as a network protocol engineer, system administrator, and intelligence analyst. Bonnie’s presentation to us gave an overview of her book, and she provided examples of court cases and current methods used by law enforcement to skirt existing laws and how this violates our privacy. Her book exposes Fourth Amendment violations by ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force). Bonnie has served as and is available as an expert witness. She is a Distinguished Board Member of UV4SOR. Bonnie welcomes anyone to contact her via email at bonnie.burkhardt@blueridge-sw.com or to call her at 703-505-2793.

~Dr. Stephanie Jerstad, is a professor of Criminology at Millersville University in PA. Dr. Jerstad’s research focuses on corrections, barriers to re-entry, collateral consequences, and housing instability (i.e., homelessness, access to long-term care facilities). Specifically, her research concentrates on macro- and micro-level policies with an emphasis on sexual offense policies. Stephanie’s Ph.D. dissertation research at Southern Illinois University focused on the willingness of long-term care facilities to accept persons convicted of sexual offending into their care as residents. She is a Distinguished Board Member of UV4SOR. Stephanie can be reached via email at scjerstad@gmail.com.

~Dwayne Daughtry is the Executive Director of NCRSOL, leveraging his academic background and advocacy skills to make significant contributions in the field of criminal justice system reforms, with a specialization in post-conviction sexual offense policies. Dwayne has actively served as a legislative liaison, advocating for various causes, including LGBT rights, veterans’ exposure to burn pits during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and the ethical treatment of animals. Alongside his role as a government affairs consultant and advisor to the senatorial judicial committee in the United States Congress, Dwayne also serves as a dedicated Veterans Service Officer (VSO) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dwayne can be reached via email at dwayne@ncrsol.com.

~Walt Pavlo is a contributor to FORBES Magazine and New York University School of Law on criminal justice and federal prison issues. He often has articles cited in legal briefs regarding the conditions and shortcomings of the BOP (Federal Bureau of Prisons). Walt is the founder and president of Prisonology, LLC which is an expert firm with a concentration on policy related to federal incarceration. His firm consists of retired BOP and US Probation professionals who provide expert testimony, declarations, consulting, and training on BOP policies. Walt can be reached through his Prisonology website, by phone at 617-858-5008, or via email at walt@prisonology.com.

~Kathie Gourlay has been involved in justice system reform since 1990. She began volunteering in a local prison’s GED program and has continued as an advocate with Michigan Citizens for Justice and Friends of Restorative Justice. Kathie can be reached via email at wash@micitizensforjustice.com.

~Derek Logue is a registered citizen, an author and an activist who is fighting to reform America’s sex offense laws. Derek can be reached through his website at www.oncefallen.com.

~Dr. Keith Hersh is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with sexual behavior problems. Dr. Hersh received his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 1999. Dr. Hersh is a clinical member of the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sex Offenses (ATSA) and a board member of the North Carolina Association for the Management and Treatment of Sex Offenses (NCAMTSO). Prior to opening Behavioral Health Solutions in April 2004, he worked in the North Carolina Department of Corrections at Harnett Correctional Institution and at Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh. Dr. Hersh can be reached via email at khersh@bhspa.net or through his website.

~Dr. Jason Newsome is a licensed professional counselor and the President & CEO of DaySpring Counseling in Dunbar, WV. His book, “Finding Peace In An Imperfect World” was written to help understand what a life of peace is and discover the real source of turmoil and chaos in our lives.

~Joshua B. Hoe has a background in public speaking, debate, and public policy research. He holds a master’s degree in international relations, and he is a former National College Debate Champion and long-time college debate coach. Formerly incarcerated, Josh has been a policy analyst and social media and messaging consultant. Additionally, he is the host and creator of the Decarceration Nation podcast. His personal experience with the justice system drives him to make a difference for others who are currently incarcerated, have been released from prison, or who have criminal records. He is a registered lobbyist and has been part of over 28 pieces of legislation passed at the state or federal level since he returned from incarceration. Josh has been involved with various Michigan advocacy groups, and he is currently working for justice reform with Dream.org. Josh can be reached via email at ypsifactj@gmail.com.

~Allegra Pocinki, M.A. is a PhD candidate in the department of sociology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Her research focuses on the impacts of mass incarceration for families and loved ones. She has been teaching undergraduates at Rutgers for the last four years in a variety of subjects, including criminology, statistics, demography, and race relations. She works with support groups across the country to mitigate the stigma of having a loved one incarcerated. Allegra is an advocate for families, having served on the board of DC Project Connect and as a member of the Advocacy in Action Coalition as part of the International Prisoners Family Conference. Prior to graduate school, she worked at the Brookings Institution, a public policy think tank in Washington, DC, in the Center on Children and Families.

~Kendra Phillips www.kendrawrights.com. Kendra is an emerging playwright from the Seattle area. She is working on a play concerning the journey of a young man incarcerated for a sex crime, as well as the journey of his best friend as she processes and supports him through this. She is the literary manager for Northwest Playwrights Alliance and a member and frequent dramaturg with Vashon Repertory Theatre. Kendra seeks to tell the stories of people on the margins of society through a redemptive lens. Her play with music, “Deep Calls” (University of Idaho), delves into the psychological and spiritual toll of prostitution. “Her Sister”, a celebration of the life of Anne Frank’s sister, Margot, and all the forgotten victims of genocide and war, premiered at Millersville University’s Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide in 2022. Other productions include an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” (University of Idaho), ”Pancakes and Eggs; Greek Gods in a Diner” (Eclectic Theatre), and “Family Game Night: an a cappella musical” (Western Washington University). Kendra’s style is heavily influenced by absurdist theatre and avant-garde music of the 20th century. Her work has been shaped by her faith, her own journey with mental health, and her previous work with struggling students in the public schools. She currently works her day job at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. She has previously worked as an educator and music director with Youth Theatre Northwest. Kendra holds a MFA (theatre arts, emphasis in dramatic writing) from the University of Idaho, and a BFA (acting/directing). and BMA (composition focused) from Pacific Lutheran University. Kendra can be reached via email at Kendrawrights@wix.com

~Madeleine Vache is a native of Phoenix, Arizona. She completed her medical training in Arizona and California, and practiced family medicine and then psychiatry until her retirement in 2022. A year earlier her loved one had entered prison, and she had started learning all she could about those who have been harmed, those who have caused harm, about incarceration, and about the registry. She is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), who have a long tradition of social activism, including peace-making and prison reform. She tries to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and she began to sense that she was being called to share her knowledge with other Friends. In support of that calling she spent this spring at Pendle Hill, a Quaker retreat and education center outside of Philadelphia, where she continued her research and writing.

~Amber Vlangas is a founding member and Executive Director of Restorative Action Alliance and works with the American Civil Liberties Union. Amber is an organizer, human rights activist, survivor of sexual harm, and advocate of re-imagining how we address crime and seek justice in our society. Ms. Vlangas started her professional career in the United States Marine Corps and has over 24 years of experience in fundraising, public relations, and coalition building with a variety of nonprofit and public organizations.
Amber holds a BA in Visual & Public Communications, certifications in Volunteer Management and Mindful Meditative Art, and is trained as a facilitator in the Ampersands Model of Restorative Justice for Sexual Harm. She is a frequent speaker and panelist for presentations that explore the collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement and conviction registries, the co-host of the podcast, Amplified Voices, and a restorative peer support circle keeper and trainer. Amber is an active participant in the movements to end cycles of sexual harm, abolish the sex offense registry, and end civil commitment. She is a strong believer in the power of human connections and effective storytelling to create positive change.

~Tolliny Rankins, Th.D, is an author and instructor who values being able to teach, train, and activate others as they navigate through life’s challenging times. She has strong personal values in her Christian faith, and in 2015 she received her Doctorate in Christian Theology. Tolliny specializes in assisting others with identity, purpose, and authenticity. As an instructor, she loves teaching, leading Cultural Diversity lectures, along with hosting Diversity and Self-care workshops. She is the Co-Founder of Redemption 100, a Florida nonprofit corporation which assists in providing materials, workshops, and speaker series to statewide and national re-entry programs at correctional institutions. She is an activist for prison reform and social justice.