How is this justice?

It isn't

Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash

“I have to take a sex class and some test.”

This from Mr. Lucky while we were on the phone a few nights ago.

“What class, what test?” I asked. “You already took a class and a huge test prior to your plea agreement.”

Some test and class, he goes on to tell me, that his new probation officer informed him is mandatory. Of course I immediately reached out and asked about both and was told it’s called a SOAP test, sex offender awareness program. There’s a pre-test and a post-test, and in between there’s a 10-week group that he has to participate in. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t and still don’t like the sound of it. And that’s because I know my kid and I have some knowledge of what happens in these groups.

They get together, these folks on probation, and the group leader asks them how they’re doing, if they’re under any kind of stress, etc., and this group leader encourages them to share. The whole, “It’s ok, you can talk to me” thing. And “What we talk about in group stays in group,” thing. B.S. You know what happens then? If they share that they’re feeling stressed or if they say they’re fine, it all goes back to the probation officer. And then the person on probation goes under a microscope. Why? Because if you’re stressed it’s possible you’ll do something bad. And if you’re fine, well obviously you’re hiding something or refusing to participate honestly.

Maybe I sound crazy but, I Googled the whole thing and, I’m not crazy. (Or at least not any crazier than I usually am.)

“We’re instructed to talk openly about any new stressors in our lives, but if anyone mentions anything that could be considered a high-risk situation, their treatment provider will report it to their parole officer.

If we look like we’re making progress, providers are supposed to assume that we’re just trying to deceive them by attempting to ‘act normal.’” Jeff Noland, on probation in Tennessee, for FilterMag.org

I can imagine how this will go for Mr. Lucky. Despite not wanting to launch a podcast (ok, maybe it was a foolish idea), he does love to be the center of attention. It doesn’t take much for me to picture him sitting there, believing the B.S. and going on and on about whatever, and ultimately being penalized for it.

You know what else, though? It really galls me is that they’re treating him like a sex offender. He isn’t. And still, this is the class he has to take:

“Probation and parole officers, treatment providers, polygraph examiners, and others use a team approach to provide collaborative supervision for sex offenders. VADOC and others provide treatment programs, including but not limited to the Sex Offender Awareness Program (SOAP) and Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTX). The VADOC determines each individual’s participation in sex offender supervision.” From the VA Department of Corrections

Over the course of his 19 months under house arrest, I was worried. Very worried. But this has catapulted me to a whole new level. Where before I could go with him — had to go with him — to anything and everything the court required and therefore could be there to be his touchstone anytime he got nervous or “quirky,” now I can’t go. Not allowed. Period.

So my son, who is autistic and is (clearly) easily bullied, is prey, once again. Only now it’s for the VA DOC. How is this justice?

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