Drop the Rock: New York Legislature to Vote on Overhauling Draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws : Indybay

But those laws could finally be on their way out. 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 non-violent drug offenses to have their sentences reduce or commuted. New York Governor David Paterson is also preparing a measure that would let judges determine sentences instead of having to follow state-imposed minimums.

It’s the latest step in a long campaign to repeal the Rockefeller laws. The effort has been propelled by a grassroots campaign involving many ex-prisoners.

I’m joined now by three guests. Here in the firehouse studio, Kirk James was released in 2003 after serving nine years in jail as a first-time offender. He"s now a social justice activist who actively campaigns against the Rockefeller Drug Laws.

Also in the firehouse studio is Caitlin Dunklee. She is Coordinator of the Correctional Association’s Drop the Rock campaign, the main grassroots campaign to repeal the Rockefeller Drug laws.

And on the line with us from the state capitol of Albany is Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry. Representing New York’s 35th Assembly District, in Queens, he has led efforts in the New York state legislature to repeal the Rockefeller drug laws.

Kirk James, served nine years under the Rockefeller drug laws as a first-time offender. He’s now a social justice activist.

Caitlin Dunklee, coordinator of the Correctional Association’s Drop the Rock, the main grassroots campaign to repeal the Rockefeller drug laws.

Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry, Representing New York’s 35th Assembly District in Queens, has led efforts in the New York state legislature to repeal the Rockefeller drug laws.

Drop the Rock: New York Legislature to Vote on Overhauling Draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws

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