Webinar: “From Arrest to Homecoming—Addressing the Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents” August 22, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentOn September 1, 2010, the National Reentry Resource Center will host a free webinar on how best to address the challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents. This webinar will cover the emotional and physical needs of children of incarcerated parents and the complex family dynamics among children, incarcerated parents, and caregivers. Practical tips and sample resources developed by experienced service providers, such as co-parenting agreements, will be shared.
This webinar, facilitated by Margaret diZerega, Family Justice program director at the Vera Institute of Justice, will feature presentations by:
* Dee Ann Newell, M.A., Founder and Executive Director, Arkansas Voices for Children Left Behind. Ms. Newell’s organization is instrumental in the development of state legislation to support subsidized guardianship by relative caregivers for children of incarcerated parents and legislation to protect pregnant mothers during incarceration. From 2006 to 2008, she provided technical assistance to fourteen states around policy and program development for children of incarcerated parents.
* Yali Lincroft, M.B.A.., Independent Consultant, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the American Humane Association, and First Focus. Ms. Lincroft’s fifteen years of experience in policy and program planning at the local, state, and federal level includes work as a policy consultant for the San Francisco Children of Incarcerated Parents’ initiative to improve child welfare services. Her recent and upcoming publications include After the Earthquake: A Bulletin for Child Welfare Organizations Assisting Haitian Families in the United States and a toolkit for social workers assisting incarcerated parents, which will be published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in the fall of 2010.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
This webinar, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, will be held at 2:00 P.M. (E.T.) on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
* To register for this webinar, click here.
On Budget Policy, Chris Dudley Tosses Kevin Mannix Under the Bus August 18, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentChris Dudley and Kevin Mannix share one thing in common: they have both been nominated by the Oregon Republican Party to run for governor.
But Dudley, the party’s current nominee, showed Tuesday that this bond only goes so far. As part of his drive to portray himself as willing to make the tough budget decisions, Dudley announced that he would oppose the Mannix ballot measure toughening sentences for sex crimes and drunk driving.
Dudley also announced he would oppose another ballot measure continuing the diversion of lottery dollars into parks and wildlife habitat. In both cases, he said the state simply could not afford it.
“While the goals of these measures are laudable, their cost is simply too high,” Dudley said.
Mannix said Wednesday morning that he had a “brief conversation” with Dudley about his measure and tried to persuade him that it would be several years before the tougher sentences would have much of an impact on the budget. And even then, it would at most be one-fifth of 1 percent of the general fund budget, he said.
Of course, as anybody knows, you can get yourself in financial trouble by telling yourself that each individual purchase is no big deal as you whip out your credit card.
Whatever the case, Dudley has clearly decided that he’d rather take a stand for limiting spending than backing Mannix, the GOP nominee in 2002, on another one of his crime issues.
Mannix noted that voters bought his really big crime initiative – Measure 11 – back in 1994 despite widespread warnings from the political establishment that it would have a huge pricetag.
Still, it’s worth noting that the Republican nominee for governor that year, Denny Smith, supported Measure 11.
Now, opponents of Mannix’s new initiative, Measure 73, will be able to run ads saying that both nominees for governor are opposed. That will be interesting to see if that catches the attention of voters in this volatile political year.
UPDATE: Josh Alpert, who is managing the parks initiative, Measure 76, also sought to minimize the political impact of Dudley’s announcement. He said supporters had unsuccessfully sought a meeting with Dudley in recent months to argue the merits of their initiative.
Interestingly, Mannix also supports the parks measure, saying that the diversions have been particularly successful in improving state parks and open space.
Measure 73 Creates More Mandatory Minimum Sentences August 3, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , 6 commentsHere’s a message from our friends at the Partnership For Safety and Justice:
We learned today from the Secretary of State’s Office that Kevin Mannix’s latest measure, on which we will be voting on November 2, has been assigned to be ballot measure number 73.
Measure 73 creates mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenses and driving while under the influence. Like other Mannix initiatives, M73 creates a one-size-fits-all response to very serious and complicated problems and does nothing to support community-based programs that provide life-saving programs to survivors or prevent the crimes listed in the measure.
Oregon can’t afford another Mannix measure. State agencies are making 9% cuts to their programs and services. That means even more people will be turned away from shelters and fewer people will get treatment for their addictions. Right now, we need to shore up these services that support survivors and help people live without–and drive without–drugs and alcohol.
Mannix’s newest measure could draw even more youth into the prison system. We are researching loopholes that could inappropriately force juveniles to serve long adult sentences.
We’ll keep you up-to-date on ballot measure 73 and how you can get involved in opposing Mannix’s latest mandatory measure.
Repeal of Drug Mandatory Minimum Sentence on NPR July 28, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentToday’s successful vote in Congress for crack cocaine reform was historic – the repeal of the first drug mandatory minimum sentence since 1971! That point was not lost on the media. FAMM has received calls from Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press and Congressional Quarterly, among others.
Tune in this afternoon to National Public Radio (NPR) for a full report on the crack cocaine victory, which should include comments Julie gave the reporter. Click here to listen.
FAMM Hails Elimination of First Mandatory Minimum Since Nixon Administration
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentToday’s update from Julie Stewart:
Yes, we won! Minutes ago the U.S. House of Representatives voted to make crack cocaine sentencing laws more sensible and fair! Your calls and letters to Congress made a difference!
This is a fantastic victory – and one we have fought for more than 15 years! It will affect about 3,000 people each year, reducing excessively high crack penalties by more than two years on average. Right now the law is not retroactive but we are going to fight for retroactivity as soon as the bill is signed! To read FAMM’s press release, click here.
The bill will go straight to President Obama for his signature, within the next ten days.
Thank you for sticking with me during this long haul. I know that the pace of sentencing reform is painfully slow and discouraging but, hopefully, this victory gives you the renewed faith that together we can change sentencing laws!
Celebrate your victory!
Last Chance to Help Pass Sentencing Reform July 27, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentHERE’S AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM JULIE STEWART, FAMM PRESIDENT:
This is the real deal. Congress leaves town on Friday. They must do something for sentencing justice before they go – but I need you to help me make it happen!
Last week I asked you to call your representative and tell him to support the crack bill, S. 1789, and you responded by the hundreds. Now we need thousands of FAMM members to pick up the phone today and call the leaders of the House of Representatives, the ones who make the decision about whether the bill should come up for a vote. And, if you haven’t called your representative, do so immediately!
Please make these two phone calls first: One to the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). And one to Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland).
Speaker of the House Pelosi: (202) 225-0100
House Majority Leader Hoyer (202) 225-3130
Your message to them is simple:
“I am calling to tell the leadership that I want them to vote on the crack bill, S. 1789, before they go home for the August break. The bill corrects an injustice in the law that is long overdue and it reflects the values of liberty, equality, and compassion that all Americans share.”
If the person who answers the phone tells you to call your own representative, tell them you already have (if you haven’t, click here). Then explain that you are calling them because Rep. Pelosi or Rep. Hoyer are the leaders of the House of Representatives.
Then, call your representative. If you’ve already called, ask your friends to call their representatives. They can find their names on the FAMM website (click here). Make your calls now – today and Wednesday!
We can do this! We can get this bill passed!
I’ve worked on sentencing reform for 19 years, ever since my brother went to prison for growing marijuana. None of the reforms we achieved while he was in prison helped him but I know they helped others – maybe even your loved one. I know this isn’t the perfect bill – it isn’t retroactive and it doesn’t eliminate the disparity completely – but we are not going to get the perfect right now. We can get this bill. And we can use it to push for even bigger changes in the future. So please help me help others now.
I’m depending on you. Our strength is our numbers, our voices, our passion, and our knowledge that we’re on the right side of this issue. Make your calls today! Ask your family and friends to call today! Let’s win this one!
Thank you for making the difference!
Committee Decries Cuts In Inmate Work Crews July 24, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentKeeping the Powder River Correctional Facility off the state’s budget chopping block was a top priority at Wednesday’s Prison Advisory Council meeting, but the meeting also buzzed with criticism of a decision that curtailed some inmate work crews starting July 1.
“Our No. 1 priority is to protect the Powder River facility and staff,” said Fred Warner Jr., chairman of the Baker County Board of Commissioners. “We will fight all we can to keep Powder River. We will fight to our last breath to keep Powder River as the last minimum-security prison closed.”
Warner said the county’s second priority is to convince the Department of Corrections to resume the practice of having crews of Powder River inmates work for local nonprofits and public service agencies in the area for no charge, with the cost paid from the state general fund.
“We need to figure out how to get the inmates back out in the community working,” Warner said.
Ken Neff, director of operations at Powder River, said the state-subsidized inmate work crews were suspended July 1 in response to Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s June order that all state agencies trim 9 percent from their budgets to bridge an estimated $577 deficit for the two-year state budget cycle that ends June 30, 2011.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) initially proposed, in addition to ending subsidized work crews, closing Powder River and two other minimum-security prisons.
On June 9, Kulongoski rejected the proposal to close any prisons.
However, Neff said the other cuts took effect July 1, including the demise of the subsidized inmate work crews.
As an alternative, Neff said the governor directed DOC to make inmate crews available for hire at a rate of $458 for a 10-man crew for 8 hours, including DOC security staff; $543 for a 10-man crew for 10 hours; or $5.50 per day per inmate for host agencies when no DOC security staff is provided.
Peggy Timm of Baker City asked Neff how DOC can justify eliminating work crews, or making them too expensive for many nonprofits, considering Oregon voters approved Measure 17 in 1994, which requires inmates to work.
Neff said inmates will still do institutional work inside the prison.
In addition, some inmates still work for Oregon Corrections Enterprises operations, such as a Department of Motor Vehicles call center and a prison print shop.
In addition, Neff said educational and job training activities done by inmates while in prison also count as work under Measure 17.
Karen Yeakley, chairwoman of the Prison Advisory Committee, said treating Powder River inmates for drug and alcohol addictions and providing opportunities for them to work and get reconnected to the community are essential for rehabilitating inmates before they are released.
“The end result is we want good citizens,” Yeakley said.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE
Call Congress For Sentencing Reform July 23, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , add a commentEarly next week the House of Representatives may vote on a bill to reduce the 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, S. 1789, would change the ratio to 18:1 and eliminate the mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine – the first time a mandatory minimum sentence has been removed since the Nixon Administration! (Please read the Washington Post editorial about the bill that appeared today!)
This historic bill would lower sentences for almost 3,000 people facing prison each year, save taxpayers $42 million in the first five years, and advance justice and restore faith in a criminal justice system that many have come to distrust. The bill has already passed the Senate so we only need the House of Representatives to pass it before it gets sent to President Obama for a signature!
FAMM has been working furiously with other groups to line up support for this bill. But your call is critical to its successful passage. We need thousands of calls to Congress to persuade representatives that their constituents want this change. Even if you’ve never called your member of Congress before, now is the time. Call now.
To find out who your representative is and make your call, click here. We also provide talking points to deliver when you call.
CSG Justice Center Creates Reentry Programs Database July 22, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , 2 commentsThe Council of State Governments Justice Center announced today the launch of an online Reentry Programs Database, developed with support from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice. It is designed to catalogue adult and juvenile programs nationwide that work to make individuals’ return to communities from prisons, jails, and juvenile corrections facilities safer and more successful.
“Every day, ex-offenders return to communities in need of programs and resources that support the challenges associated with reentry. Now, service providers throughout the country will have access to a database of programs that will help those seeking services achieve their full potential,” said COPS Director Bernard K. Melekian.
“As BJA provides $100 million in funding to state, local, and tribal communities for reentry programs through the Second Chance Act, it is essential that these communities know about the strategies in use in other parts of the nation, to facilitate a peer-to-peer learning network so that we have the ability to learn from each other’s best practices. That is exactly why BJA has supported this project,” said BJA Acting Director James H. Burch, II.
The database will feature a variety of programs, ranging from community-based efforts to statewide initiatives. It will highlight self-reported innovative programs that have implemented promising practices and policies to facilitate successful reentry. This tool was developed with three goals: to promote peer-to-peer exchanges, highlight progress in the field, and help people returning home and their families to connect with local programs that can facilitate reentry.
“The unveiling of the Justice Center’s Reentry Programs Database marks the first effort to create a national clearinghouse of promising reentry initiatives. This new resource will better inform policymakers and practitioners as they implement policies and programs designed to support stronger families and communities and increase public safety,” says Dr. Frank Straub, Justice Center board member and director of public safety, City of Indianapolis.
Designed to be user-friendly, the database includes these features:
* Unlimited profiles. This online tool will allow reentry program staff to create multiple profiles for individual programs and initiatives by completing an online survey that gathers detailed information on target population, services, program activities, and data-collection efforts.
* Multiple search capabilities. Users can generate a targeted list of programs, with the option to search by state or by topic area. Available topic areas include employment, housing, law enforcement, and families.
* Additional resources. Profiles available in the database may include links to relevant media articles, research, and evaluations.
The Reentry Programs Database can be accessed at http://reentrypolicy.org/reentry-program-examples/reentry-programs-start. Jurisdictions with reentry programs are encouraged to create or update profiles.
Pot and Crime To Be On Ballot July 19, 2010
Posted by admin in : Current News , 2 commentsOregon voters will decide this fall whether to approve a network of medical marijuana dispensaries and to impose longer prison sentences for those who drive drunk or commit sex crimes.
The Secretary of State Elections Division on Friday announced that initiatives proposing both changes had enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
They are the first two of six proposed citizen initiatives to make the cut. The crime initiative is likely to wind up as Ballot Measure 73 and the marijuana dispensary initiative is expected to appear on the ballot as Measure 74.
Both measures represent efforts to expand on the work of past citizen initiatives. The proposed network of medical marijuana dispensaries builds upon a 1998 initiative passed by voters legalizing the use of pot as medicine by people who are issued cards by doctors who conclude that the drug could help treat medical conditions such as chronic pain or glaucoma.
Under current law, Oregon’s 36,000 medical marijuana card holders can grow their own marijuana, obtain it through a state-authorized caregiver who grows it for them, or buy it on the street. Supporters of medical marijuana say that’s too limiting for patients. According to the Elections Division, of the 130,702 signatures turned in for the measure, 85,848, or 66 percent, were valid.
The anti-crime measure is supported by Kevin Mannix, a former legislator, frequent Republican candidate for higher office, and the chief sponsor of several tough-on-crime measures in the 1990s.
Most far-reaching among them was 1994’s Measure 11. It set mandatory minimum sentences for several violent crimes. The same concept is at play with his latest measure. If approved by voters, it would set 25-year mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of certain repeat sex crimes. Repeat drunken drivers would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days. Sponsors submitted 136,674 signatures, of which 93,223, or 68 percent, were valid.
Four other proposed initiatives had petition signatures submitted by the July 2 deadline, but are undergoing the verification process to determine whether enough signatures were valid to qualify for the ballot.
Two are related proposals allowing nontribal casinos in Oregon and authorizing one in Multnomah County. The third makes permanent the soon-to-expire dedication of a share of state lottery profits to parks and wildlife programs. A fourth would shift the task of redrawing political district boundaries from the Legislature to an appointed commission.
It is widely expected that of those four proposals, all but the redistricting measures will have enough valid signatures to make the ballot. The Elections Division has until Aug. 1 to complete the signature-verification process for citizen initiatives proposed for the November ballot.
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