 |
 | "The true test of the American ideal is whether . . . chance of birth or circumstance decides life's big winners and losers, or whether we buld a community where, at the very least, everyone had a chance to work hard, get ahead and reach their dreams."
—Senator Barack Obama, Knox College Commencement Address, June 4, 2005.
"Opportunity is having a voice and the power to make sure that policy is responsive to that voice."
—Jeff Perlstein, Executive Director, Media Alliance
"Journalists will serve the public well if they examine new measurements and expressions of opportunity in America, explore its democratic dimensions and, through vigorous reporting, nourish compassion for those unfairly denied its benefits."
—Steve Montiel, Founding Director of USC Annenburg's Institute for Justice and Journalism
"Opportunity in our campaign has meant creating an opportunity to push our values, affect change, and open people's hearts to the value of redemption."
—Tony Newman, Drug Policy Alliance, member of Real Reform New York Coaltion
"Opportunity means transformation, and it means realizing justice."
—Monique Harden, Founder, Advocates for Environmental Human Rights
|
|
|
<<Part III - Home | Defending Diverse Voices in the Media>>
Redemption Song:
The Real Reform New York Coalition
Rockefeller Drug Laws Are Racially Discriminatory and Destroy Communities
The Real Reform Coalition has been very clear that the Rockefeller Laws have been racially discriminatory and inhumane—although levels of drug use are relatively consistent across racial and ethnic lines, 93% of the people sentenced by the Rockefeller Laws come from the African American and Latino communities. International groups such as Human Rights Watch have condemned this horrendous disparity, and the campaign was careful to document the discriminatory application and effects of these provisions.
Real opportunity is hampered for the thousands of families of these incarcerated individuals and these laws are breaking families apart and destroying communities. Another core principle of the Opportunity Frame is that of Community- being linked in our successes and challenges and being responsible to each other and ourselves- we can’t turn our back on members of our most vulnerable communities. Communities need support for rehabilitation programs and re-entry programs that support individuals and their families.
|
The Public Supports Redemptive Policies
Nearly 16,000 people are locked up for drug offenses in New York State prisons, representing nearly 38% of the prison population and costing New Yorkers over half a billion dollars each year. In recent polls, over 83% of New York residents said they think the Rockefeller Drug Laws should be repealed. This reflects a nationwide increase-across demographic groups-in support for rehabilitative polices (especially drug and mental health treatment) and opposition to vindictive incarceration policies-towards redemption.
This shift in public opinion is most evident by the recent highly publicized races for district attorney in Albany and Tompkins County, New York. Gwen Wilkinson staged a remarkable upset over incumbent George Dentes. This is the second year in a row that an incumbent DA has been defeated in part due to his support of the draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws. Last year David Soares defeated incumbent Paul Clyne in the race for Albany County District Attorney. Each of these successful campaigns for office highlighted the need to adopt more sensible drug-related sentencing policies focusing on the possibility of Redemption.
The underlying message was that politicians must heed the public call for reform or they will be voted out of office and that voters are paying attention to their track records on real reform.
|
Redemption is the idea that human beings are responsive and evolving beings, and that those whose falter in their efforts or break societal rules warrant the chance of rehabilitation and a new beginning. Redemption is a second chance at opportunity. For the millions of Americans with criminal records, Redemption, and the opportunity it would give them, are far from reach. The discrimination that many ex-felons face at the voting booth, in searching for viable employment and access to housing are just a few of the obstacles standing in the way of real opportunity. And the number of incarcerated Americans has risen shockingly: more than 2.1 million people are now incarcerated in the United States – a rate of imprisonment far higher than that of any other nation, and unprecedented in U.S. history.
New York State’s 1973 Rockefeller Drug Laws and the copycat legislation they spawned impose severe sentences of up to life imprisonment on even low-level drug users. This choice to criminalize drug addiction instead of treating it as a health issue began an era of mass-incarceration for people convicted of non-violent drug offenses. Harsh drug laws also have had a disproportionate racial impact: the rate of incarceration of African-American and Hispanic people convicted of drug offenses has far outpaced that of whites, despite the fact that drug use is no higher among people of color than it is among whites.
A Coalition Focused on Redemption
The Real Reform New York Coalition was founded in 2004 to advocate for the replacement of the Rockefeller Drug Laws with cost-effective, just and community-based alternatives. The coalition is made up of dozens of organizations representing thousands of community members, activists, advocates, policy and drug treatment experts, Rockefeller Drug Law survivors and their friends and families.
Real Reform New York defines “real reform” as:
- Reducing sentences to levels proportionate to those for other nonviolent crimes and to bring New York into line with national standards
- Restoring judicial discretion so judges can fashion just sentences based on consideration of the particular case, and when appropriate, sentence people convicted of low-level drug offenses to community-based treatment.
- Delivering retroactive sentencing relief to currently incarcerated Rockefeller inmates serving unjustly long sentences.
- Expanding drug treatment programs and other alternatives to incarceration for people convicted of low-level drug offenses.
Without real reform most people convicted of drug offenses will never have a chance to build on the other parallel principles of opportunity such as Mobility, Equality and having a Voice to participate in society’s political life.
Real Reform is Possible
The Real Reform New York Coalition has demonstrated that by bringing together policymakers, religious leaders, family members and celebrities, legislators can be persuaded to institute reform. In December 2004, New York Governor Pataki signed a bill that allowed 446 people serving over 15 years to life on certain felonies to petition for release after serving 8 years. Recently, the Coalition has won reforms that build on last year’s change by allowing people serving seven years to life on other felony convictions to petition for release after serving three years.
The Real Reform Coalition continues to sway public opinion by stressing alternatives to incarceration as a more redemptive criminal justice policy.
While advocates and family members are encouraged by the small reforms, they are clear that the latest reforms don’t impact the majority of people behind bars and that these small gains offer a chance for continued dialogue on the values of Redemption, Community, and Equality and creating real opportunities for people convicted of non-violent drug offenses.
<<Part III - Home | Defending Diverse Voices in the Media>>
|
 
|
|
|
RSS