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.
*Resource Highlights*
Bronx Reentry Working Group - The Bronx Reentry Working Group recently launched its website, (bronxreentry.org) which includes their directory of reentry programs and services, calendar of events and links to additional resources. The Bronx Reentry Working Group is a coalition committed to addressing the social and health disparities of individuals with histories of criminal justice involvement.
NYPD Stop and Frisk Activity in 2011 - Report by the NYCLU provides a detailed picture of the NYPD's stop-and-frisk program in 2011. This report examines stops, frisks, force, race, the recovery of weapons, and the treatment of the hundreds of thousands of innocent people stopped last year.
Trends in US Corrections - Trends in U.S. Corrections is a visual tool published by The Sentencing Project that provides a compilation of key developments in the criminal justice system over the past several decades. Among the issues featured in this publication are: rate of incarceration from 1925 to 2010; racial disparities by gender in incarceration; increases in the number of people serving life sentences and life without parole since the 1980s; and increases in state corrections expenditures from 1985 to 2010
Overview of the US Sentencing Commission's 2011 Report on Mandatory Minimums - This publication also by The Sentencing Project highlights important findings in the U.S. Sentencing Commission's second report in 20 years assessing the impact of federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. The establishment of mandatory minimum laws corresponds with the nearly 800% increase in federal incarceration since 1980.
*Decisions of Interest*
Court of Appeals Streamlines Challenges of Sex Offense Registration Orders for Out of State Convictions - The Court of Appeals ruled that challenges to registration requirement for out-of-state convictions can be adjudicated at the risk level proceedings. In People V. Liden, the Board of Examiner of Sex Offenders made a determination that the defendant must register as a sex offender on the basis of an out-of-state conviction and made a recommendation of risk-level 3. Although the defendant didn't file an Article 78 within the statute of limitation, the defendant challenged the determination to register at his risk level proceeding. All four Appellate Divisions have held that the Board's determination is reviewable only in an Article 78 proceeding. In reversing the lower courts' decision, the court noted that allowing such review in one court is not only efficient but also adds assurance that defendant will be represented by counsel.
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*
May 30: Understanding the EEOC's New Criminal Records Guidance: Education and Enforcement Opportunities - This webinar will provide advocates, workers, employers, workforce development specialists and policy makers with critical information on how to apply the new EEOC policy to their daily decisions when navigating criminal record background checks for employment. The webinar is sponsored by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia, and the National Reentry Resource Center. Click here to register.
May 31: Solitary Confinement: Torture in Your Backyard - Rikers Island has increased its use of solitary confinement by 44% over the past two years, despite decreases in inmate population. It's time for New York to put an end to prolonged solitary confinement. This event sponsored by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture(NRCAT) will feature a panel discussion on solitary confinement in New York and a screen of NRCAT's documentary, Solitary Confinement: Torture in Your Backyard. The event will be held on May 31 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at St. Francis College
Jun 5: Free Legal Clinic for NYCHA Tenants - The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and the Harlem Community Justice Center are having their third Free Legal Clinic for NYCHA Tenants on June 5 from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. NYCHA residents from all boroughs are welcome to attend.To RSVP or for more information, call 212-876-5500 ext. 164.
Jun 7: New York City Jails Action Coalition - Join the New York City Jails Action Coalition for a planning meeting to address the conditions in New York City jails. The coalition seeks to bring attention to and address the increase in solitary confinement units, inadequate mental health services and mistreatment in coalitions. The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 7th from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at The Bronx Defenders. For more information, contact 718-508-3407.
Jun 13: The Bronx Forum: Mental Health and Addiction - This forum will take a look at available resources, best practices, and challenges in and around the Bronx relating to mental health and addiction services. Participating organizations include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, FEGS, NAMI, NYS OASAS & OMH, Osborne Association, and Visiting Nurse Service of NY. The forum will be held on June 13th from 8:30 AM-11:30 AM at Hostos Community College
Jun 15: Humanizing Criminal Justice: AEU Assembly - The American Ethical Union is holding program of lectures, panels, and participatory workshops devoted to humanizing criminal justice. Scholars, professionals, and volunteers will educate us about the current state of criminal justice in America; discuss problems, programs and policies to improve the situation; and inspire us to do what we - as informed citizens and concerned human beings - can do to create more just, hopeful, and humane approaches to criminal justice. Registration: The conference will be all day event on June 15th in Albany, NY.
Jun 17: Father's Day Silent March Against Stop-and-Frisk and Racial Profiling - On Father's Day, New Yorkers will hold a silent march in Central Harlem to protest the NYPD's unconstitutional and racially discriminatory stop-and-frisk practices. Please join us as we stand in opposition to the NYPD's racial profiling. The march will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 17 at 110th Street between 5th Ave. and Lenox Ave. at the northern edge of Central Park.
Visit the Reentry Net/NY Calendar to view more events. Click here to subscribe to our Calendar's RSS feed.
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