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, February 20, 2008

Editorial - Record Sealing Bill

"Don't seal those records," the Rocky's Feb. 9 editorial opposing House Bill 1082, the record-sealing bill, misses a critical point. There is a social and economic benefit in reducing recidivism - a subject of interest to Gov. Bill Ritter and all Coloradans. Providing incentives, such as record sealing, to those with a drug possession conviction will be an important incentive over the 10-year period.

Drug courts are successful, in part, because of incentives to offenders to successfully complete a program and have their offense removed from the record. The stigma associated with a drug conviction is an unfortunate reality, not helped by this nation's tabloid mentality.

Congress is also considering the Second Chance Act to battle recidivism. It would provide choices and chances to those living a life of good citizenship in long-term recovery from the disease of addiction. This bill - along with HB 1082 - should become law.


Rocky Mountain

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