Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Commission Meets To Study Rockefeller Drug Laws

NEW YORK, NY August 28, 2007 —The New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform will meet tomorrow to study recommendations on changing the Rockefeller Drug Laws, which advocates for drug reform say are the most severe in the nation.

REPORTER: In a press teleconference, several advocates urged the commission to make a major overhaul in the laws which strictly limit judges' discretion in sentencing non-violent drug offenders. Many convicted first-time felony offenders are mandated to serve seven to 21 years. Bob Gangi, of the Correctional Association, a prisoners' rights group, says the laws need to be drastically changed or repealed.

GANGI: The drug laws are outdated, wasteful, ineffective, unjust and marked by racial bias - they distort law enforcement practices and foster imbalance in the adjudication of drug cases.

REPORTER: After reviewing the recommendations, the commission will submit a preliminary report to Governor Eliot Spitzer October First.

NPR

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