Recent CA Press:
- Better health sought for inmates, HIV Plus Magazine (March 20, 2009)
- Drug reform risks facing Cy Vance, Jr., Gay City News (March 20, 2009)
- Sides Align in Fight to Repeal Drug Laws, Queens Tribune (March 16, 2009)
- Report backs prison college programs, Daily Gazette (March 1, 2009)
- A new plan for young offenders, Albany Times-Union February 25, 2009)
- Group says juvenile detention money could be better spent, Legislative Gazette (February 24, 2009)
- Recession putting jails under pressure,The National (February 22, 2009)
- Drop the Rock, The Nation, (February 19, 2009)
- Right-size justice system, Newsday (February 16, 2009)
- Some humanity, Mr. Paterson, Albany Times-Union (February 13, 2009)
- Trying—Again—to Change the Drug Laws, Gotham Gazette (February 5, 2009)
- Report Recommends More Discretion for Judges in Drug Cases, WNYC Radio (February 4, 2009)
- Report Recommends Revising New York's Drug Laws, New York Times (February 3, 2009)
- Group backs college for prisoners, Albany Times-Union (February 3, 2009)
- Preventing Crime 101: More College in Prisons, City Limits WEEKLY (February 2, 2009)
- Group hopes time is right to restore inmate college programs, Legislative Gazette (February 2, 2009)
- Report Advocates More Education in Prisons, WNYC Radio (January 30, 2009)
- Advocates seek college funds for prisoners, Newsday (January 30, 2009)
- Watchdog group wants inmate college grants back, Associated Press/Newsday (January 29, 2009)
- Rockefeller Drug Laws: Ripe for Reform, The Nation (January 23, 2009)
- State of the State called everything from a ‘recipe for economic disaster’ to a ‘call to action’ all should heed, Legislative Gazette (January 12, 2009)
- The Democrats take Albany, Gotham Gazette (January 12, 2009)
- Paterson once arrested over Rockefeller Drug Law reform, Capitol Confidential (Timesunion.com blog) (January 9, 2009)
- Salvaging funds, lives, The Albany-Times Union (January 7, 2009)
News & Events
March 25: Rally to End the Rockefeller Drug Laws
The word from Albany is that lawmakers are getting closer to a final package for Rockefeller Drug Law reform. We need a strong showing in the streets now more than ever to remind the state’s leaders of the stakes of failing to end these laws once again.
Join Drop the Rock and hundreds of concerned New Yorkers to demand real, progressive repeal of the Rockefeller Drug Laws:
Wednesday, March 25 at 1:00pm
Governor Paterson’s New York City Office
633 3rd Ave. (3rd Ave. between 40th and 41st sts.)
[read more] [download rally flyer]
CA releases report on prison healthcare
Undertaken at the request of the New York State Assembly’s Health and Correction Committees, Healthcare in New York Prisons, 2004-2007 represents the most comprehensive analysis of medical services in a single state’s prison system ever prepared.
The report aggregates and analyzes information gathered during 19 monitoring visits to New York state prisons and makes concrete recommendations for improvements.
[download the report] [order a hard copy]
Related press coverage:
- Report: Health Care in NY Prisons Inadequate, WNYC Radio (March 13, 2009)
- Report raps prison health care, Elmira Star Gazette/Gannett News Service (March 13, 2009)
- Better health sought for inmates, HIV Plus Magazine (March 20, 2009)
New Rockefeller Drug Law reform bill passed by the Assembly; Drop the Rock heads to Albany for Advocacy Day
The CA has released a brief fact sheet outlining the pros and cons of A-6085, a new Rockefeller Drug Law reform bill passed by the New York State Assembly on March 4. Our Drop the Rock coordinator Caitlin Dunklee discussed our concerns about the new bill with Amy Goodman on the Tuesday, March 3rd edition of Democracy Now!.
[download the fact sheet] [watch Caitlin on Democracy Now!]
Drop the Rock traveled to Albany on Tuesday, March 10 to address these issues with policymakers. Governor David Paterson, Assemblymember Sheldon Silver, Assemblymember Jeff Aubry, Senator Malcom Smith and other key legislators all made appearances. [read press release]
[watch clip from Advocacy Day on Capital News 9]
Juvenile Justice Coalition Advocacy Day a success
As our state government confronts a $15.4 billion two-year budget gap, it is obvious that New York cannot afford to waste tax dollars to keep vacant and virtually empty youth detention facilities and programs open.
The Juvenile Justice Coalition traveled to Albany on February 24 to urge policy-makers to support the New York State Office of Family and Children Services (OCFS) proposed plan to close or downsize eight juvenile facilities and three evening reporting centers. [read more]
After 35 years, it looks as if New York is finally ready to Drop the Rock
For the first time since the Rockefeller Drug Laws were enacted over 35 years ago, the State's three most important political leaders—the Governor, the Assembly Speaker, and the Senate Majority Leader—are actively pressing for serious drug law reform.
Our allies in Albany tell us that key policymakers are gearing up to draft new legislation on these harsh laws. [read more]
- The New York Times comes out in strong support of our position [read editorial]
Education from the Inside, Out: CA Releases New Report on Higher Education in Prison
Education from the Inside, Out recounts the recent history of federal and state budget cuts that have virtually eliminated in-prison college programs in New York and across the country. The report includes a survey of studies supporting the significance of post-secondary correctional education in reducing recidivism and improving prison management and a review of six model in-prison college programs.
The paper also contains first-hand testimony from program directors across the country, and several conversations with formerly incarcerated program participants.
[read the press release] [download the full report]
Get Ready: CA's Prison Downsizing Campaign
It is not hyperbole to say that we now have a historic opportunity to win numerous criminal justice reforms. New York’s budget crisis, combined with a more receptive legislature in Albany and a governor with a history of supporting drug law overhaul, creates an ideal environment where far-reaching change is possible. The CA is moving swiftly to take advantage of this moment. [read more]
MEET THE CA:
Laura Davidson wins Phyllis McCarthy Public Interest Service Award
For 20 years, through successes, political challenges, fiscal difficulties, periods of rapid expansion, and, literally, a fire, Laura Davidson has been both a pillar and driving force for the Correctional Association.
She is the heart and soul of our organization—and everyday she exemplifies the CA’s mission to ensure that all members of our society are treated justly and with dignity and respect. [read more]
Gov. Paterson's State of the State Drug Law Remarks
In his State of the State address on Wednesday, January 7, Governor David Paterson issued a promising statement concerning his plans for the Rockefeller Drug Laws—New York’s harsh and ineffective mandatory drug sentencing statutes. [read more]
Criminal Justice Reforms = Cost Savings for State
The Correctional Association has released a brief cost savings analysis, Reform Criminal Justice Policies, Cut Government Costs, recommending reforms that would improve our justice system and save our fiscally strapped state over $450 million annually. These measures can make the criminal justice system more fair and efficient, while increasing public safety and reducing exorbitant costs to the state. [read more]