Hi.  My name is *Terry.  I am the wife of a designated sex offender.  

My husband is currently on month 7 of a 1 year sentence for incest with a child.  Yes, this is an ugly charge.  Yes, he did a terrible thing that has hurt his family.  And yes, he is being punished for it.  With any other crime he would do his time, and when finished he would be left to live his life unless he committed another crime.  But not for this offense.  He made 1 large error, and now has been given a life sentence.  For the rest of his life, someone can type in his name and will be able to see the charges against him.  It does not matter that he has never been in any legal trouble before.  It does not matter that our states own psychologists have labeled him as low risk to re-offend.  It does not matter that the victim in this case does not want this punishment, because it also punishes her. 

He now has very few options in life.  He can never leave his job, because he will not be hired anywhere else with this hanging over his head.  He has had so many rights stripped of him, it is absolutely ridiculous.  He cannot vote.  He cannot own a firearm.  He cannot be in the military.  He cannot see his children or even speak to them.  He cannot live in his own house.  He cannot use a computer.  He cannot drink alcohol or be in the company of someone who does.  He cannot go to a fast food restaurant.  He cannot live within 1000 feet of a school, daycare center or any other place where children may congregate. 

And he can never move on with his life.  Because no matter what changes he makes in his life.  No matter what positive things he does for his family and for society, he will be forever labeled with a giant scarlet letter S.  I cannot believe that we are living in 21^st century America.  This nation should be outraged at the trampling of human and civil rights that is occurring in this country in the name of justice.  It is a disgrace!