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.


Monday, January 21, 2008

MLK Day Should Draw Focus To Racial Disparity

Racial disparity in sentencing is another of our nation's dirty little secrets. On this day we should pledge to hold those accountable who are responsible for the policies and practices that have led us to this place. The Sentencing Project has complied reports and stories that give us a broader look at how disparity works in our courtrooms and neighborhoods nationwide.

More than 60% of the people in prison are now racial and ethnic minorities. For Black males in their twenties, 1 in every 8 is in prison or jail on any given day. These trends have been intensified by the disproportionate impact of the "war on drugs," in which three-fourths of all persons in prison for drug offenses are people of color.
The Sentencing Project

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