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You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of the New York State Reentry Resource Center, a network of more than 3,000 advocates and direct service providers from all around the state. Each month, we bring you resource highlights, news, and policy updates from the online resource center.
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*News and Alerts*
NYPD Commisioner Calls for Shift in NYPD Marijuana Arrest Policy- WNYC reports that Commissioner Ray Kelly has issued an internal order to the New York City Police Department commanding officers to stop arresting people for small amounts of marijuana possession, if the marijuana was never in public view. The Drug Policy Alliance, IIJRA and Vocal-NY will be holding a Press Conference to applaud the change on Tuesday, September 27 at 1:30PM at One Police Plaza.
Federal Action Alert - In a potential blow for reentry programs across the country, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill last week that would eliminate funding for the Second Chance Act in FY 2012. The Legal Action Center has issued an action alert to contact your representatives and urge them to restore funding the Second Chance Act.
Call for Comments for USDA's Proposed Regulation on Clarification of Eligibility of Fleeing Felons - The US Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service has issued a proposed regulation related to the law requiring disqualification of “fleeing felons”. Comments for consideration must be received by October 18, 2011.
New York Chief Judge Seeks Less Punitive Approach for Youth Tried As Adults - Chief Judge Lippman is proposing that the state transfer jurisdiction for 16- and 17-year-olds accused of less serious crimes to family courts, which have more social services, while continuing to prosecute the most violent juveniles as adults. Source: New York Times
NYCLU Survey about the NYPD - Have an opinion about the NYPD’s practices in your neighborhood or an experience you would like to share? The NYCLU wants to hear from you. Please fill out the survey and share your experiences.
*Resource Highlights*
Lowering Criminal Record Barriers: Certificates of Relief/Good Conduct and Record Sealing - Guide by the Legal Action Center explains which cases are eligible to be sealed and how to seal them. It also explains who is eligible for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct, which can improve your chances of getting a job or housing, as well as how to apply for these Certificates.
Criminal Records and Employment: Protecting Yourself from Discrimination - Guide by the Legal Action Center explains what New York employers may and may not ask about your criminal record, how you should describe your record, and what rights you have to be free of job discrimination because of your record.
Your New York State Rap Sheet: A Guide to Getting, Understanding, and Correcting Your Criminal Record - Guide by the Legal Action Center provides instructions on getting a copy of your criminal record (RAP sheet) and correcting any mistakes in it. The guide also explains how and what type of information employers can get about your record and when they can access it.
Beyond Going Home: From Reentry to Reintegration - Article by Center for Community Alternatives in the Pro Se newsletter provides tips on successful re-integration after release from prison. The article highlights essential steps for successful reentry including establishing a positive relationship with your Parole officer; building positive relationships; getting involved in community activities; and meeting the challenge of obtaining employment. The article can be found on page 9 of the newsletter.
Addressing the Collateral Consequences of Convictions for Young Offenders - Article by The Sentencing Project published in NACDL's The Champion magazine explores areas in need of attention and reform to minimize collateral consequences for youth who have been adjudicated delinquent or convicted of a crime. The article highlights the role of defense attorneys in ensuring that justice-involved youth are not subjected to unwarranted collateral consequences.
Visit Reentry Net/NY Issue Modules: Padilla Compliance Guide | People's Guide | Employment & Licensing | Housing | Discharge Planning - These modules serve as a starting point for accessing the resources available on Reentry Net, and direct users the most useful and frequently accessed resources from the Library.
Remember to visit our Monthly Mailing Archive for highlighted reports, toolkits, and training materials from the past year.
*Upcoming Events*
Press Conference on NYPD Marijuana Arrest Policy Change - Join the Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform and Alternatives (IJJRA), VOCAL NY, the Drug Policy Alliance, and elected officials, Tuesday, September 27th at 1:30pm to celebrate the change in NYPD policy that could end tens of thousands of illegal arrests. The press conference will be held at 1 Police Plaza. For more information, contac Evan Goldstein at egoldstein@drugpolicy.org.
Prisoner Reentry Insititute 's Fall Occasional Series: Beyond Conventional Wisdom — Creating Reentry Housing - The Prisoner Reentry Institute(PRI) at John Jay College is host its Fall Occasional Series on October 6 at 8:30 AM. PRI director Ann Jacobs will be joined by presenters JoAnne Page of the Fortune Society, and Ryan Moser of the Corporation for Supportive Housing to discuss innovative strategies employed in New York City to create housing for formerly incarcerated people by literally turning obstacles into opportunity. For more information or to RSVP, contact pri@jjay.cuny.edu
New York Reentry Roundtable - Join advocates at the monthly New York Reentry Roundtable to discuss issues affecting the formerly incarcerated as they reenter the community. October's roundtable discussion will feature representatives from the Human Resources Department. For more information, contact Gabriel Torres-Riviera at grivera@cssny.org or 212.614.5306.
Coalition for Women Prisoner's General Meeting - The Coalition for Women Prisoners will hold a full coalition meeting on Thursday, October 21 from 5-7PM at the Correctional Association. For more information, contact Stacey Thompson at sthompson@correctionalassociation.org.
Want to post an event on Reentry Net? Click on "Add an Event" in the upper right corner of the Calendar. Click here to subscribe to our Calendar's RSS feed.
*Opportunities in the Field*
Senior Director of Court Advocacy - The Fortune Society
Project Associate & Project Assistant Positions - The Council of State Governments
Director of Re-entry - Daytop Village Inc.
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