[Vision2020] Failed Drug Policies from Nixon to Bush

[Dave]

>From today's Democracy Now! at http://www.democracynow.org/

New York Legislature to Vote on Overhauling Draconian Rockefeller Drug
Laws
<http://www.democracynow.org/2009/3/3/drop_the_rock_new_york_legislature>

The New York State Assembly is set to vote today on legislation that
would allow judges to send drug offenders to substance abuse treatment
instead of prison. The legislation would also allow thousands of
prisoners jailed for nonviolent drug offenses to have their sentences
reduce or commuted. It’s the latest step in a long campaign to repeal
the draconian Rockefeller laws. The laws impose lengthy minimum
sentences on drug offenders, even those with no prior convictions. The
laws have disproportionately targeted people of color, while giving
prosecutors /de facto/ control over how long convicts are jailed.
[includes rush transcript]

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Also in the Headlines:

Study: 7.3 Million Americans Now in Prison, on Parole or Probation

Here in this country, a new study has found the number of people in
prison, on parole or probation has reached a record 7.3 million. One in
every thirty-one adults is now in the US corrections system. Twenty-five
years ago, the rate was one in seventy-seven.

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Dave

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