Four reports by the NYCLU,
Justice Mapping Center, The
Sentencing
Project and the Human
Rights Watch find stark racial disparities in
drug law enforcement and policing. The reports also show, among other
things, racial bias in the implementation of the Rockefeller Drug Laws,
and the ten-fold increase in the number of people arrested for
possession of small amounts of marijuana in the past decade.
New York's
Newly Increased Mandatory Surcharges and Crime Victims Assistance Fees:
The 2008-2009 New York budget carries with it increases in fees and
surcharges that will be imposed on most people convicted of crimes and
vehicle traffic offenses, 80% of whom are indigent. The chart
prepared by Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) lays out the new
fees enacted and signed in 2008-2009. Click
here (PDF) to read the chart. Also see, "Sentencing
for Dollars" by CCA for a report on the financial consquences
of a criminal conviction.
Enhancing
Employment Opportunities for Previously Incarcerated: New
report prepared by New York City Bar Association Task Force on
Employment Opportunities for the Previously Incarcerated. The Report
discusses enhancing employment opportunities for the formerly
incarcerated and thereby reducing recidivism as a crucial aspect of the
administration of criminal justice. The report suggests that employment
barriers may be heightened by the failure of employers to understand
the laws under which they operate, as well as employers’
generalized misperceptions about job applicants with conviction
histories. The report recommends that legal and other employers become
familiar
with workforce intermediaries and turns to them for support and
assistance in identifying and employing qualified applicants. Click
here to read the report.
Criminal
Background Checks: What are your Rights?:Article
prepared by the National HIRE Network explains the rights of both
job-seekers and current employees concerning criminal background
checks. The article
discusses employer and consumer reporting agencies duties under The
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA),
how a person can report inaccuracies on a criminal record report and
misconduct by reporting agencies, and highlights additional protections
in state laws. Click
here (PDF) to read the report.
New York
Reentry Roundtable Advocacy Day 2008 Legislative Proposals: This
year's legislative proposals agenda by the New York Reentry
Roundtable covers issues such as employment & restoration of
rights, voting rights, higher education, sentencing, health care and
financial debt. Click
here (DOC) to read the Agenda. Click
here(DOC)
for Advocacy Day 2008 talking points on the legislations
Remember to
visit Past
Resources of the Week for
highlighted reports, toolkits, and training materials from the past
year.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
*Upcoming
Events & Opportunities*
New
York Reentry
Roundtable Advocacy Day: The
New York City Reentry Roundtable, will hold its second annual Reentry
Advocacy
Day in Albany on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Join advocates, family members
and formerly incarcerated individuals to speak with legislators and
staff about the challenges facing formerly incarcerated New Yorkers.
For more information, contact Gabriel Torres-Rivera at (212) 614-5306
or grivera@cssny.org.
Prisoner
Art Show Exhibit: Critical
Resistance NYC Presents an inside view of our talented, caged
brothers and sisters. Curated by Carol Strick. Live performances by
Spiritchild, Freeborn & Others.Food & Refreshments
Available with Donation. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 17
2008 and art work will be shown through May 31. For more information,
call Critical Resistance at 718-676-1660.
Upcoming
Forum on Pre-Booking Jail Diversion: Come join
people directly
affected, advocates, government officials, academics, and legal
providers as
they engage in an open discussion about the current state of the
criminal
justice system and how pre-booking jail diversion can be implemented to
best
service people with psychiatric disabilities.
Open
Forum organized by
Rights
for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD) is
scheduled for
June 4, 2008.Visit www.rippd.org
to register or contact Lisa Ortega (lortega@rippd.org)