CA Press Release
CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION RELEASES UPDATES INFORMATION ON THE EFFECTS OF THE ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS AND INCREASING LIKELIHOOD OF MEANINGFUL REFORM
| For immediate Release | February 5, 2009 | |
| Contact: | Robert Gangi |
Caitlin Dunklee |
Here are our updated fact sheets on the continuing negative effects of the Rockefeller Drug Laws on individuals, communities and the state’s prison system. We’ve also included a brief compilation of recent statements by the state’s three major political leaders expressing their strong support for drug law overhaul.
As you can see, last year over 5,000 (5,191) people were sent to state prison for non-violent drug offenses and there are nearly 12,000 people in New York State under custody for narcotics offenses. Thousands of minor drug offenders are still being locked up at great expense to the public treasury and with little, if any, benefit to the larger society. Our standard criticism of these laws—that they are wasteful, ineffective, unjust and marked by racial bias—still applies.
These findings add to the urgency of this movement, when for the first time since these statutes were passed over 35 years ago, the State’s three most important political leaders—the Governor, the Assembly Speaker, and the Senate Majority Leader—are actively pressing for serious drug law reform. In addition, New York, like every other jurisdiction, faces huge budget shortfalls and must find ways to produce government savings other than cutting popular and needed services in areas of health, education, housing, etc. Sweeping changes to the drug laws would result in diverting thousands of low-level drug offenders each year and annual savings to the state of hundreds of millions of dollars.
We at the Correctional Association and Drop the Rock will continue to organize on and promote this issue—our petition drive has gathered the signatures of over 25,000 state residents supporting repeal and has the ultimate goal of enrolling 35,000 concerned individuals. On March 10th we will bring hundreds of people from around the state for an Advocacy Day when we will meet with key representatives of the executive and legislative branches and send them the message: Now is the time to Drop the Rock.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like more information.
###
Download Drop the Rock fact sheets