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.


Friday, December 26, 2008

Coal For Christmas: Bush Revokes Pardon

WASHINGTON (AP) — The pardons President George W. Bush granted this week couldn't have been better Christmas gifts if Santa himself had delivered them.

But a Brooklyn, N.Y., man, Isaac Robert Toussie, received the legal equivalent of a lump of coal.

Toussie, convicted of making false statements to the Housing and Urban Development Department and of mail fraud, was among 19 people pardoned Tuesday.

But after learning in news reports that Toussie's father had donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Republican Party a few months ago, as well as other information, the White House issued an extraordinary statement Wednesday saying the president was reversing his decision on Toussie's case.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the decision to revoke the pardon — a step unheard of in recent memory — was "based on information that has subsequently come to light," including the extent and nature of Toussie's prior criminal offenses. She also said neither the White House counsel's office nor the president had been aware of a political contribution by Toussie's father that "might create an appearance of impropriety."

"Given that, this was the prudent thing to do," she said.

AP Story

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting pardons story. In my circle everyone is worried that Busch will pardon himself and all his cronys on the 19th of January? My thoughts are that if he should that is conclusive admission that they did commit crimes. Wouldnt it be ironic if all dissapeared and then showed up at Guantanamo, were locked away and couldnt get Habeaus Corpus nor a trial?? djw

Anonymous said...

djw ... That would be glorious!

I'm SO glad this evil administration is on the way OUT.