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| ADVOCACY
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The Sentencing Project firmly believes that citizen involvement in criminal justice reform is critical. We work closely with established community-based organizations to identify means by which local leaders can empower their neighbors in order to influence public policy. We also utilize our publications and expertise to educate policymakers and practitioners about sentencing issues and to recommend policy alternatives. This page provides advocates with tools and information to take action to improve our system of justice.
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Advocacy Materials
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June 19, 2008
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Crack the Disparity Newsletter Released by Coalition of Advocates |
 The Sentencing Project has participated in the release of the inaugural edition of the Crack the Disparity Coalition's quarterly e-newsletter. The coalition unveils this publication on an important day, the 22nd anniversary of Len Bias' death - a young man at the apex of a promising basketball career, whose drug overdose fueled the passage of the harsh sentencing laws this coalition seeks to change.
This newsletter is designed to maintain the momentum that is propelling reform by keeping advocates updated on news and events related to eliminating the crack cocaine disparity. It can be accessed at www.crackthedisparity.com where additional advocacy resources and information can be found.
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The Sentencing Project has participated in the release of the inaugural edition of the Crack the Disparity Coalition's quarterly e-newsletter. The coalition unveils this publication on an important day, the 22nd anniversary of Len Bias' death - a young man at the apex of a promising basketball career, whose drug overdose fueled the passage of the harsh sentencing laws this coalition seeks to change.
This newsletter is designed to maintain the momentum that is propelling reform by keeping advocates updated on news and events related to eliminating the crack cocaine disparity. It can be accessed at www.crackthedisparity.com where additional advocacy resources and information can be found.
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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June 01, 2008
(Washington Post Magazine)
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Cracking Open |
"Michael Short knows he was wrong to sell crack cocaine, but he questions whether he needed 15 years in prison to learn his lesson. Now some of the politicians who helped put him there are wondering, too."
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"Michael Short knows he was wrong to sell crack cocaine, but he questions whether he needed 15 years in prison to learn his lesson. Now some of the politicians who helped put him there are wondering, too."
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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April 09, 2008
(Various)
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President Bush Signs Second Chance Bill |
 President George W. Bush today signed into law the Second Chance Act of 2007 – legislation inspired by his 2004 State of the Union address – which authorizes $362 million to expand assistance for people currently incarcerated, those returning to their communities after incarceration, and children with parents in prison. It quickly gained broad bipartisan support and earned the backing of law enforcement, state and local government, religious and justice reform organizations. The Second Chance Act was first introduced in 2004, by then-Representative Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), to help the nearly 700,000 people leaving prison each year.
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President George W. Bush today signed into law the Second Chance Act of 2007 – legislation inspired by his 2004 State of the Union address – which authorizes $362 million to expand assistance for people currently incarcerated, those returning to their communities after incarceration, and children with parents in prison. It quickly gained broad bipartisan support and earned the backing of law enforcement, state and local government, religious and justice reform organizations. The Second Chance Act was first introduced in 2004, by then-Representative Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), to help the nearly 700,000 people leaving prison each year.
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Issue Area(s) : Collateral Consequences |
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March 26, 2008
(Des Moines Register)
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Iowa House Approves Examination of Racial/Ethnic Impact of Sentencing Changes |
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By a 99-0 vote, Iowa's House passed legislation that requires lawmakers to review, prior to approval, the effect new sentencing policies may have on minority communities. The Des Moines Register credits a report by The Sentencing Project, which found Iowa incarcerates blacks at a rate 13 times that of whites, for helping instigate the legislative response. The bill, House File 2393, now heads to the Senate.
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By a 99-0 vote, Iowa's House passed legislation that requires lawmakers to review, prior to approval, the effect new sentencing policies may have on minority communities. The Des Moines Register credits a report by The Sentencing Project, which found Iowa incarcerates blacks at a rate 13 times that of whites, for helping instigate the legislative response. The bill, House File 2393, now heads to the Senate.
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity |
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March 12, 2008
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Senate Passes Second Chance Bill |
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The Senate passed the Second Chance Act of 2007 late Tuesday, which will ease the re-entry process for individuals leaving prison by providing funding for prisoner mentoring programs, job training and rehabilitative treatment. The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Sens. Joseph Biden (D-DE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), now awaits approval by President Bush - who in his 2004 State of the Union address advocated for a $300 million Prisoner Re-entry Initiative.
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The Senate passed the Second Chance Act of 2007 late Tuesday, which will ease the re-entry process for individuals leaving prison by providing funding for prisoner mentoring programs, job training and rehabilitative treatment. The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Sens. Joseph Biden (D-DE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), now awaits approval by President Bush - who in his 2004 State of the Union address advocated for a $300 million Prisoner Re-entry Initiative.
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Issue Area(s) : Collateral Consequences |
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March 05, 2008
(ACLU)
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Video: People Impacted by Unfair Sentencing Speak Out |
The ACLU has compiled footage from a press conference held in February in which people impacted by the crack cocaine sentencing law spoke about the harm caused by the harsh mandatory minimums for crack cocaine, and why Congress should advance reform. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chris Shays (R-CT) and Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), in addition to several impacted people like Michael Short who was released this year after serving 15 years of a 19-year sentence after a presidential commutation, express their views on the 100-to-1 crack cocaine disparity and the need for immediate reform.
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The ACLU has compiled footage from a press conference held in February in which people impacted by the crack cocaine sentencing law spoke about the harm caused by the harsh mandatory minimums for crack cocaine, and why Congress should advance reform. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chris Shays (R-CT) and Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), in addition to several impacted people like Michael Short who was released this year after serving 15 years of a 19-year sentence after a presidential commutation, express their views on the 100-to-1 crack cocaine disparity and the need for immediate reform.
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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March 03, 2008
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U.S. Sentencing Commission Decision Takes Effect Today |
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Three months after the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to apply adjustments to the sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine offenses retroactively, sentencing reductions for eligible prisoners begin today. The Commission estimates that 19,500 persons in prison are eligible to apply for a sentence reduction expected to average just over two years. Releases are subject to judicial review and will be staggered over 30 years.
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Three months after the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to apply adjustments to the sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine offenses retroactively, sentencing reductions for eligible prisoners begin today. The Commission estimates that 19,500 persons in prison are eligible to apply for a sentence reduction expected to average just over two years. Releases are subject to judicial review and will be staggered over 30 years.
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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February 27, 2008
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Impacted People Speak Out on Crack Sentencing Law, Lobby for Reform |
Fifty community leaders from around the country descended on Washington on Tuesday to call for reform of crack cocaine sentencing laws before the House Judiciary's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security and urge their representatives in Congress to push through reform legislation this year.
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Fifty community leaders from around the country descended on Washington on Tuesday to call for reform of crack cocaine sentencing laws before the House Judiciary's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security and urge their representatives in Congress to push through reform legislation this year.
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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February 25, 2008
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House Committee to Review Unfairness in Crack Cocaine Sentencing |
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Excessive federal penalties for low-level crack cocaine offenses will be scrutinized tomorrow during a hearing in the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee, the same day community leaders from around the country descend on Washington to call for sentencing reform
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Excessive federal penalties for low-level crack cocaine offenses will be scrutinized tomorrow during a hearing in the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee, the same day community leaders from around the country descend on Washington to call for sentencing reform
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Incarceration, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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February 06, 2008
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Senate Schedules Crack Cocaine Hearing |
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs on “Federal Cocaine Sentencing Laws: Reforming the 100-to-1 Crack/Powder Disparity” for Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building.
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The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs on “Federal Cocaine Sentencing Laws: Reforming the 100-to-1 Crack/Powder Disparity” for Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building.
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Issue Area(s) : Sentencing Policy, Racial Disparity, Drug Policy |
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