Last week, the Longmont Leader reported about the Longmont City Council’s consideration of an ordinance to change the residential requirements for sex offenders. Residents expressed concerns about a particular residence that has five registered sex offenders living in close proximity to the Alpine Elementary School and Rough & Ready Park. The house is operated by Mobarez Solutions, a company that works to provide stable solutions for sex offenders to reintegrate back into society.
The Longmont Leader spoke with Michael, a resident of the household and former client of the program. Michael requested that his last name not be shared in this article. He currently works as the operations manager for Mobarez Solutions.
“As Operations Director, I oversee the daily functionality of our homes and the effective implementation of our program,” Michael said. “This includes client intake and orientation, pro-social calendar development and execution, addressing in-house challenges, managing client discipline, and serving as a liaison with probation, parole, and community partners. My background as a former client in the program provides me with a unique perspective and allows me to connect with and mentor our residents effectively. My experience in team leadership and operations facilitated my transition into this role.”
The for-profit company is funded primarily through resident fees, but they also have partnerships with Boulder County Probation, Colorado State Parole, the Department of Corrections (DOC), sex offender-specific therapists, and re-entry programs like the Re-Entry Initiative in Longmont. These organizations can provide scholarships for sex-offenders to enroll in the program, but they are expected to gain full-time employment and begin making their own contributions.
The business says they have a zero-percent recidivism rate over the last two years since the company was founded. They currently have four houses in Denver and Boulder County. Most residents stay in the program for a minimum of 90 days, but many stay for longer than a year, Michael said.
Roohallah Mobarez, the founder and owner of Mobarez Solutions, sent the Longmont Leader a company statement in response to the concerns Longmont residents have regarding the house and its proximity to the elementary school. “Our program is founded on the principle that providing a structured and supportive environment is the most effective approach to mitigating risk and promoting successful reintegration for individuals with sex offense convictions,” the statement said.
Residents are expected to “maintain stable employment, engage in a supportive social environment, contribute as responsible community members, and adhere to strict program guidelines.” They are also expected to maintain sobriety as part of the program.
“We firmly believe that the greatest risk to public safety arises from a lack of stability and support,” Mobarez’s statement said. “Individuals facing homelessness, unemployment, and untreated mental health issues are far more likely to reoffend. Our program aims to break this cycle.”
One Mobarez client, who requested to remain anonymous, said that joining Mobarez Solutions has helped them beat homelessness. “Since being in this program, I’ve been able to find a really good job which is turning into my career,” they said. “I was able to save enough money to buy a vehicle. I was able to pay off a large debt for treatment and really start to advance with my education there because of it. It’s still never going to be easy, but with this program and everything it has to offer; I know I won’t fail. I don’t know where I would be without Mobarez Solutions.”
Another client, who requested to remain anonymous, said that they had a lot of worries and anxiety about the uncertainties of re-integrating back into society after being released from prison, but Mobarez Solutions helped them with more than just housing. “They provided me with resources to help me find work, as well as directed me to re-entry resources that helped me get back on my feet. I feel that because of the program’s guidance, I was able to quickly adjust back to a new lifestyle of sobriety, honesty, and responsibility. Mobarez played a huge part in who I have become and continues to strive to help me become the person I plan to become.”
The U.S. Department of Justice published a study in 2019 called “Recidivism of Sex Offenders Released from State Prison: A 9-Year Follow-Up (2005-14).” The report analyzed the recidivism rates for 401,288 prisoners released in 30 states in 2005. 84 percent of prisoners released after committing an offense other than rap or sexual assault were arrested for a new crime within the 9-year follow-up period and 2.6 percent were arrested for a sex crime. 67 percent of sex offenders released in 2005 were arrested in the follow-up period and 7.7 percent were arrested for a sex crime in the follow-up period.
Michael explained that sex offenders have a more difficult time finding housing and employment due to the stigma associated with the seriousness of the offense. “Housing is very difficult for people with sex offenses as it disqualifies them from many opportunities and does take time for them to find an understanding landlord,” he said. “Many of our clients report they spend $1,000-pus dollars on application and background check fees while constantly being denied for residency in apartments.”
The Longmont City Council canceled its meeting on Tuesday, March 11. There will be a future meeting in which the council discusses potential residential restrictions for sex offenders in the community. The council will consider how far away sex offenders should be allowed to live from certain locations, including schools, parks, and bus stops.
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