LEGAL ACTION CENTER

Need-to-Know News: Feb. 3, 2012

February 03, 2012

LAC State Policy Director Tracie M. Gardner testified before the Joint Public Hearing on Public Protection this week to present the recommendations of the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition. Read the full recommendations here, or see video of the hearing.
The New York Observer is featuring a profile of LAC Board Member Doug Liman in anticipation of his new show on MTV.

State

A new report by the Vera Institute of Justice finds that state taxpayers pay an average of 14 percent more on prisons than corrections department budgets reflect; New Yorkers pay 23 percent more.
The State Senate passed a bill this week that would would require anyone convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor to submit a DNA sample to the state's database, a move Governor Cuomo says would protect the innocent from unjust convictions.
A proposal by the State Bar Association would allow the sealing of more types of criminal records and give people with criminal histories a better chance to rebuild their lives.

National

A report from the Sentencing Project details 55 reforms in 29 states, giving an overview of policy reforms in sentencing, probation and parole, collateral consequences, and juvenile justice.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has launched a youth initiative using social media to fight substance abuse.
In a public radio interview, departing Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson of the Office of Justice Programs talks about her experience in almost ten years in the job.
The UN World Health Organization has passed a resolution urging collaboration between the WHO and national governments in developing a comprehensive plan to address mental health and substance use disorder issues.
President Obama announced his intent to nominate Michael P. Botticelli, currently the Massachusetts Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, as Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
In Indiana, a bill that would require drug tests for welfare applicants was withdrawn after being amended to include drug testing for lawmakers.
Chicago announced $1 million in federal grants this week for community mental health and addiction centers to add routine HIV testing and counseling.

Feb. 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Visit the organizers' state-by-state listings to find events.
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America will hold its 2012 Leadership Forum Feb. 6-9 in Maryland. Use this link to learn more.
The Black AIDS Institute has extended the deadline to apply for its training program, the Community Mobilization College, to March 2. It is also offering a webinar on the program on Feb. 15.
SAMHSA will hold a budget briefing on Feb. 14 in Washington, DC. For more on the event, which will be streamed online, use this link.
The New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers has posted materials from its webinar "Emerging Structures in the Era of Healthcare Reform" online.
The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies has created an online, searchable NYC Re-Entry Resource Guide.