You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of the New York State Reentry Resource Center, a network of more than 1,000 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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*Hundreds of ReentryNet/NY Library Resources Now Publicly Available*
Over 500 resources in the Reentry Net/NY information clearinghouse are now available to to the public - no membership or password is required for access. Reentry Net aims to distribute up-to-date, high quality training materials, legal information, and sample documents on the consequences of criminal proceedings to the widest possible audience - case managers, job developers, attorneys, people with criminal records, their families and community members. Since 2005, thousands of Library resources have been downloaded by over 2,000 members. By opening up access to the majority of library resources we hope to provide thousands more people with practical tools for overcoming the everyday problems encountered in the reentry process - from planning at the moment of arrest to looking for a job years after returning home from jail or prison. Users are still encouraged to sign up for membership to receive monthly updates, calendar mailings, and support and technical assistance from Reentry Net staff. Access to some resources is restricted by user type; we always recommend logging in to make sure that you are viewing all available library resources.
If you have questions or concerns, or would like to submit a resource to be posted in the Reentry Net/NY library, please contact Kate Rubin, Reentry Net Coordinator (kater@bronxdefenders.org).
*Resource Highlights*
Unchaining Civil Rights: New website on the civil rights implications of criminal record based discrimination, created by Justice Strategies, Center for Community Alternatives and the National HIRE Network of the Legal Action Center. See more at http://www.unchainingcivilrights.org
Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board Decision on Termination Based on Past Criminal Record: Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board finds claimant eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance benefits after termination based on a criminal background check that revealed prior criminal convictions.The Appeal Board ruled that because the convictions date from more than five years prior to when claimant began working at the employment in question, he could not have been aware at the time of the convictions of their effect on his future employment in the healthcare field. Thus claimant's termination did not constitute provoked discharge and voluntary separation without cause;Claimant is eligible to recieve benefits. Click here to read the decision. Click here for the Memo of Law authored by Monroe County Legal Assistance Center
Decision Dismissing a Prosecutor Initiated Drug Holdover Based on the Passage of the One Year Statute of Limitation: Legal Aid's Harlem Community Law Offices won a decision regarding the scope of the CPLR 205(a) tolling provision which effectively extends the statute of limitation on commencing an eviction proceeding for six months after a prior proceeding was terminated. Here, the proceeding had twice before been commenced and dismissed. The court held that while the tolling provision applied to the second action, it did not apply to the third. The court looked at the plain language of the statute and that the legislative intent was to toll the statute of limitations for six months, not in perpetuity. Click here to read the decision.
Remember to visit Past Resources of the Week for highlighted reports, toolkits, and training materials from the past year.
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*Governor Signs the Negligent Hiring Bill and Lifts Discretionary Bar on Barber and Cosmetology Licenses for People with Criminal Records*
Governor Patterson recently signed into law S4956-A/A07847-A, which protects employers who hire qualified individuals with criminal records in compliance with the New york State Human Rights Law from negligent hiring lawsuits. The Governor also signed S7723/A10703 into law, lifting the discretionary ban on barber and cosmetology licenses for people with felony convictions.
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*Upcoming Events & Opportunities*
New York Reentry Roundtable: The upcoming Reentry Roundtable will examine issues affecting young people. Lazar Treschan, Director of Youth Policy at CSS, will give an overview of his recent report, Out of Focus: A Snapshot of Public Funding to Reconnect Youth to Education and Employment. The report describes and analyzes New York City’s investments to reengage 16 to 24 year-olds who are out of school and out of work. Hazel Beckles Young-Lao of CSS, and Mark Goldsmith, CEO of Getting Out, Staying Out, a nonprofit organization that works on reentry issues for court-involved youth, will discuss their joint efforts working with this population. The event will be held on September 17 at 1PM at the Community Service Society. For more information, contact Gabriel Torres-Rivera at grivera@cssny.org or (212) 614-5306
11th Annual Greenhope Community Resource, Education and Career Fair: Greenhope Services for Women and Senator Bill Perkins invite you to attend the 11th Annual Community Resource, Education and Career Fair. The event is an opportunity for attendees to discover community resources and learn about training programs and employment. Vendors in attendance wil include the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA); NY Public Library; Staples; NY Life Insurance Co; Fidelis Cares; the Fortune Society; STRIVE; Nontraditional Employment for Women; The HOPE Program; New York Cares; N Power; Fifth Avenue Committee; Manhattan EOC; and others. Dress is business casual. Participants must present photo identification to be admitted into the building. The Event will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at 10 AM atAdam Clayton State Office Building. For more information and general inquiries call Shirley Robinson at (212) 369-5100 Ext. 29
Spotlight on Incarcerated Women: Conditions, Profiteering, and Resistance - a Joint Benefit for Prison Legal News and Books Thru Bars: Join investigative journalist and author of Women Behind Bars Silja Talvi, founding editor of Prison Legal News (and co-editor of Prison Profiteers) Paul Wright, former drug war prisoner Yraida Guanipa; and Books Through Bars co-founder (and author of the forthcoming Resistance Behind Bars) Victoria Law for a discussion on who profits from the increase in incarcerated women, conditions inside prisons and resistance both inside and out. The event will be held on September 17 at 7PM at the Blue Stocking Bookstore.
Understanding and Navigating the Criminal Justice System: The Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services (CASES) and the Legal Aid Society announce a free, all day training intended for case managers, ACT, day treatment, clinic, shelter and supportive housing staff working with the mentally ill population. The training follows the process from arrest through conviction showing the various places where there is room for interventions. Various alternatives to incarceration (ATI), diversion, mental health court and re-entry programs are reviewed as well as discharge planning services and consumer perspectives. Two trainings will be held on Septermber 25 and 26 and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Ann-Marie Louison at alouison@cases.org or (212) 553-6343.
Drop the Rock Empowerment Day: Join Drop the Rock coalition, teams of community members, formerly incarcerated people and families, in neighborhoods across the city and state that are heavily impacted by incarceration to educate the public about the Rockefeller Drug Laws, gather petition signatures calling for their repeal, and register New Yorkers to vote. Empowerment Day will be held on Saturday, September 27. For more information or to sign up for the event, contact Caitlin Dunklee at cdunklee@correctionalassociation.org or 212-254-5700 Ext. 339.
Remember to visit Reentry Net for full calendar listings and new job opportunities!
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