Newsletter

[Courtesy of The Sentencing Project] Tennessee: Ex-felon Disenfranchisement Laws Need to be Repealed, Panel Says A panel at Middle Tennessee State University advocated the repeal of state laws that ban approximately 98,000 formerly incarcerated residents from voting. The panel, which included a defense attorney, a formerly incarcerated resident and Michele Flynn, a voting rights advocate with the American Civil Liberties Union, commented on how Tennessee law appears to be discriminatory and unfair. About 40 percent of formerly incarcerated individuals in Tennessee are African American, while blacks represent only 17 percent of the state's total population, the Daily News Journal reported. Currently, state law bans those convicted of a felony with a maximum sentence of more than a year, with the possibility of reinstatement. Residents convicted of murder, some sexual offenses, treason and voting fraud permanently lose their right to vote. New York: State Needs to 'Fast-track' Voter Education New York State needs to "set the record straight on voting rights" according to an editorial published by El Diario. Thousands of formerly incarcerated citizens in the state are misinformed about their voting rights, which are restored once they have served their maximum prison sentence or been released from parole. According to a 2006 survey by the Brennan Center for Justice, DEMOS and the Legal Action Center, some citizens on probation were illegally denied the right to vote. "Advocates have made several smart recommendations-including that the state's Board of Elections launch a public awareness campaign and that the legislature restore the right to vote for all citizens on release from prison. These recommendations should be fast tracked, and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo should put BOE offices on notice for any attempts to lock out voters," the editorial states. Kentucky: Students on Board to Restore Rights University of Kentucky students gathered this week on campus to support Rep. Jesse Crenshaw's (D- Lexington) efforts to pass House Bill 70, a bill that would restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people like former UK basketball player Tayna Fogle. Though the House of Representatives passed the bill last year, it failed to make it through the Senate, the Kentucky Kernel reported. The bill will again be brought up in the House this year for reconsideration. A rally and lobby day will be held in Frankfort on February 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wisconsin: Restoration Leads to Integration University of Wisconsin-Madison student Andrew Wagner wrote an opinion editorial in the student publication, The Badger-Herald, on the need for the state to change its disenfranchisement laws. Wagner supports Rep. Joe Parisi's (D-Madison) recently introduced bill that would restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals who have completed their prison sentence and are on probation or parole. "Give released felons a stake in society rather than pushing them to the margins," he stated. "While these felons are still under sentence when they are on probation or parole, the reintegration process should start as early as possible once they leave prison." National: Denying the Pursuit of Happiness Senator Russ Feingold (WI) and 1996 Republican candidate for the vice presidency Jack Kemp co-wrote an opinion editorial published in the Baltimore Sun on their efforts to introduce the federal Democracy Restoration Act allowing those on probation or parole, or individuals who have served their sentences, to be able to vote in federal elections. "Even as voting restoration grows, we have a long way to go. For a nation that depends on the participation of its citizens, it is fundamentally un-American to deny the vote to people who are living and working as law-abiding citizens," they wrote. "Furthermore, the more doors we close on people trying to rejoin society, the more likely it is we will drive them back to the behaviors we want them to leave behind. Later this year, Americans will determine the next president of the United States. But millions remain disenfranchised because of a dangerous anachronism: civil death." An opinion editorial featured on Helium.com holds the position that individuals with felony convictions should have all rights restored in order to reduce recidivism and boost the nation's economy. The writer states: "If we are going to continue to deny ex-felons their rights even after they have served their term then we need to take the word-"ex" out of ex-felon. If we are going to continue to deny their right to the pursuit of happiness then we can just call them all felons and convict them to a life of despair." A contributor to the State Hornet newspaper, a student publication of the California State University, Sacramento, wrote an opinion editorial on his experience as a formerly incarcerated person gaining back his voting rights - and how others like him in other states are not so lucky. "Most are led to believe that their right to vote has been taken away, or the process to get it back is too extensive," Galen Kusic wrote. "This must change. If you are a citizen in this country, ex-con or not, the government should grant you the right to vote. Period." - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information: e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org

[Courtesy of HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER] Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG) Press Release http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/thai-aids-treatment-action-group-ttag.html INPUD Director Stijn Goossens (Belgium) Invited by UNAIDS for High-Level Meeting on AIDS http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/inpud-director-invited-for-high-level.html Collega Stimson (IHRA) http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/collega-stimson-ihra.html HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/hardcoreharmreducer.html INPUD Newsletter, 21 February 2008 http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/inpud-newsletter-21-february-2008.html 10th International Hepatitis C Conference 2008 (Registration now open) http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/10th-international-hepatitis-c.html Moscow AIDS Conference Blocks Drug Treatment Patients, Groups Charge http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/moscow-aids-conference-blocks-drug.html The Goa Declaration (INPUD Asia and the Pacific Region) http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/goa-declaration-inpud-asia-and-pacific.html European Commission; Final Report on the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs (13-14/12/2007) http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/european-commission-final-report-on-eu.html INPUD Director Stijn Goossens Nominated For United Nations Civil Society Task Force http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/inpud-director-stijn-goossens-nominated.html Old School INPUD In Vancouver http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/old-school-inpud-in-vancouver.html Milena & Lucca http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/milena-lucca.html Napalm Death : SCUM http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/napalm-death-scum.html Debate Battle: HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER vs Luc Beaucourt http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/debate-battle-hardcoreharmreducer-vs.html Read Why Professor Luc Beaucourt Gets His Ass Kicked In Public Debate http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/professor-luc-beaucourt-makes-it-easy.html January 2008: Drug War Log & ArtCoreFromTheHardCore http://artcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/january-2008-drug-war-log.html UNAIDS Team, Asia Pacific: To review and revise laws that criminalize drug use http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/02/unaids-team-asia-pacific-to-review-and.html Don't give us false illusions of hope: injecting drug users http://hardcoreharmreducer.blogspot.com/2008/01/dont-give-us-false-illusions-of-hope.html All the best, HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER www.HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER.be www.HarmReduction.be www.HarmReduction.eu www.Inpud.org DrugUsersNeverQuit -- DrugUsersNeverQuit www.Inpud.org www.HarmReduction.be (DrugWarLog) www.HarmReduction.eu (ArtCoreFromTheHardCore) www.HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER.be

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network:. (To downlad these 29:00 files, click on links below. To simply listen, go to www.drugtruth.net and select the arrow below the shows description.) Cultural Baggage for 02/20/08 Mark Bennett, incoming head of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association regarding the DA scandal, the jail scandal, the decades long waging of the drug war MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1773/FDBCB_022008.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Will be posted late on 02/21/08) Century of Lies for 02/19/08 The top 12 most dangerous drugs, according to the Lancet and as produced by the BBC. MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1772/COL_021908.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: No Transcript of this show this week PLEASE NOTE: We now have transcripts, potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston. www.kpft.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: More than 50 Drug Policy Videos online) Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

[Courtesy of Just Say Know] Visit Our Web Site: If you’re using internet explorer web browser click this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home If you’re using any other web browser click this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html Please pass this message on to ALL your contacts in the USA and ask them to join our mailing list using the form on our web site. THANK YOU! We never share email addresses from our mailing list with anyone. Just Say Know works on your behalf toward drug policy reform, preserving and re-instating your legal rights. Drug policy and enforcement tactics are out of control and removing your rights at an alarming rate. Your financial contributions are greatly appreciated. To make a donation reply to this message with “donation” in the subject line and an associate will contact you. Thank you for your consideration. Don’t hesitate to contact us by replying to this message; we appreciate your comments, questions and concerns. Together we will make a difference! You are invited to attend the Marijuana Policy Project meeting, Saturday, February 16th, from 1:30 to 3 pm at 7405 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, Florida. More details are at the bottom of this message. No matter where you stand on drug policy we can all agree that there are better ways to deal with drugs without anyone having to die or be hurt. Our current drug policy, after over 70 years and over a trillion tax dollars spent has proven to be a failure and is doing far more harm than good. There has only been one successful anti-drug campaign, it targeted tobacco. Almost half of all smokers stopped using this highly addictive drug and no one went to jail or got hurt or killed. IT CAME ABOUT THROUGH EDUCATION NOT A WAR ON TOBACCO USERS. Tell your friends about the "Enough is Enough" petition to stop the reckless overuse of SWAT tactics and save the lives of civilians and police alike. This petition is sponsored by: StoptheDrugWar.org -- see http://ga0.org/campaign/enough_is_enough. Feature Story: Can you believe we have to argue with our government about making it legal for licensed physicians to recommend marijuana to seriously ill and in some cases dying patients? Our government is arresting, harming and sometimes killing people over using a drug that thousands of doctors and patients have testified is safe and effective. In some cases marijuana can take the place of FDA approved drugs that have serious side effects. Sometimes the FDA approved drugs even cause death. There has never been a death caused by a marijuana overdose, not one in all of history. It is one of the safest drugs known. It’s time to take action. You can begin by attending MPP’s medical marijuana meeting tomorrow 2-16-2008. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR OUR GOVERNMENT OUTLAWING MEDICINE RECOMMENDED TO PATIENTS BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN. Why is the government so adamant about outlawing marijuana? It’s well known that marijuana was originally outlawed without a shred of evidence proving it harmed anyone or society. What’s the real story? Why all the hubbub? The research we’ve done points to corruption and greed. Be sure to read this article http://marijuana.drugwarrant.com/ . This amazing plant can produce over 50,000 products, reduce pollution, reduce deforestation, is more efficient as pulp for paper than trees, can be used to efficiently produce cleaner fuel than petroleum, natural gas or coal, can be used as food in a variety of ways that have no intoxicating effects, can produce almost anything made from cotton using significantly less toxic chemicals and producing superior product quality, the list goes on and on. We believe its illegal and being kept illegal to protect special interest groups that marijuana will compete with once its legal. Be sure to visit our web site and read “Marijuana Facts The Government Does Not Want You To Know” on the home page. If you’re using internet explorer web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home If you’re using any other web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html This country is still run by the people but if you sit around waiting on someone else, it may be your door that gets kicked in, it may be you that’s sick and gets shot by the government for using marijuana to relieve your pain, chemo reactions or other illness, it may be your children, money, livelihood or property that get taken away. Property is sometimes confiscated with no evidence and no legal recourse. Think this is a fairytale? Click here http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/snitch/readings/hidden.html . The truth is, the drug war is being used as an excuse to remove your rights and steal your property. We are by no means saying all politicians or police officers are guilty of this but there is a mountain of evidence supporting the need for policy reform that makes citizens, their family and their property more secure. One very good first step will be to take away the ability of criminals to profit from marijuana. How? Just like it was done with alcohol, remove the prohibition and regulate legal adult use. The drug war and its devastating effects on society must be stopped. Stand up, call, email, write letters or go see your elected representatives. Click here to locate and contact your congressional representatives https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml . The life you save may be your own or a loved one’s. Consider this, what would you do if you or someone you loved was sick or dying and a licensed physician said marijuana could help heal the condition or relieve the suffering? TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND POLICY REFORM. You can get a wealth of information about medical marijuana by visiting our web site and clicking “Web Links” in the site map. Learn what doctors are saying. Learn what conditions marijuana has shown to be beneficial in treating. If you’re using internet explorer web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home If you’re using any other web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html One of the most eye opening sources of information about why the drug war needs to end is a video produced by “LEAP” Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. If you haven’t seen it yet please take a few minutes and view it now. Here’s a link to the video: http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Content&pid=28

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 02/18/08 to 02/24/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net. Mon - Tribute to Dr. John Morgan with Dr. Mitch Earleywine & discussion of the request of the 124,000-Member American College of Physicians for a Review of Marijuana's Legal Status & End to Federal Prosecutions Tue - Houston District Attorney resigns with "impaired judgement" from drug use + DTN Editorial Wed - Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project re hysterical studies of marijuana Thu - Poppygate Report with Glenn Greenway Fri - Winston Francis with the Official Government Truth + DTN Editorial Sat - Doug McVay & Drug War Facts re CASA + DTN Editorial Sun - Doug McVay & Drug War Facts re Afghan Poppy crop + DTN Editorial Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Mark Bennett, Pres of Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association to discuss resignation of Harris Co. District Attorney for "drug impaired judgement." - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: BBC's Top 12 Most Dangerous Drugs. Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network:. (To downlad these 29:00 files, click on links below. To simply listen, go to www.drugtruth.net and select the arrow below the shows description.) Cultural Baggage for 02/13/08 Philppe Lucas, Dir of Vancouver Island Compassion Society discusses recent UNODC gathering of NGO representatives + Winston Francis with "Official Government Truth", Doug Mcvay with Drug War Facts & Poppygate Report from Glenn Greenway. MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1764/FDBCB_021308.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Will be posted late on 02/07/08) Century of Lies for 02/12/08 "Doctor Robert Melameade describes the endocanabinoid system and the ways that cannabis affects the human body + Doug McVay with Drug War Facts about opium in Afghanistan MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1763/COL_021208.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/1763#comments PLEASE NOTE: We now have transcripts, potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston. www.kpft.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: More than 50 Drug Policy Videos online) Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

Am I ever off-duty? Tom (an LT in the Frederick PD) and I ride horses out of the same ranch. I did not need to convert him, as we rode together last fall. He simply agreed with all I said. This week while throwing saddles over our horses, I asked if he would be willing to testify in Annapolis for a couple of crime bills. Recently retired, he readily agreed. BTW, the question was rhetorical. I am never off duty. How to frame the question?: Once a month I rise at 5:15 to have breakfast with 40-60 very conservative folks at the Leadership Institute. I arrive before any other guests to ensure a seat next to the cameraman. He also holds the microphone which is passed around as invitees ask questions. Thus I always get to ask a question. This week President Bush’s legal counsel and senior advisor Ed Gillespie spoke to us. When you only have one chance, what part of prohibition does one bring up? How to make a statement in the disguise of a question? ‘Mr. Gillespie, as a police officer I know that every hour my federal colleagues, especially the FBI, chase after drug dealers, means they have less time to investigate terrorists like al Qaeda. Why in the century of 9/11 are FBI agents still chasing drug issues, like medical marijuana gardens? He gave the standard answer; i.e. fighting the war on drugs does not diminish our nation’s ability to effectively fight the war on terror. However afterwards, I had 4 persons come up to me and state they believed I was correct and the President’s senior advisor was wrong. Small steps. I do my best work.. in the bathroom? (or please pass the paper towels Mr. Will) Three days this week I attended my third CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference). 6,000 of the most dedicated, conservative citizens in America gather each year at a fancy hotel in DC. On Thursday I came face to face with George Will (columnist, TV show guest, extremely knowledgeable and influential person) in the bathroom. We both reached for paper towels. The container was empty. “Mr. Will.” I said I realized who he was. Pausing for only a second, I continued, “I write you every three months, asking you to take a position either in favor or against the war on drugs.” I waited a few seconds. No reply. As we left, I told him I enjoyed all his opeds. Later that evening, I came face to face with Tom DeLay. He was the House Majority Leader for many years. I maneuvered my way to open the exit door just before he did. I paused for a couple of seconds to make sure he could read the “COPS SAY LEGALIZE DRUGS” on my t-shirt. If I can not persuade, I settle for irritate. Think of me as poison ivy. LOL And the winner is: My colleague Bill Piper of Drug Policy Alliance gave me the scoop on why/how the Congress cut big money to the local drug task force groups. It was President Bush who pushed hard and won major cuts in the Byrne Program. Thank you Mr. Bush.

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 02/1/08 to 02/17/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Mon - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 1/7 Tue - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 2/7 Wed - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 3/7 Thu - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 4/7 Fri - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 5/7 Sat - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 6/7 Sun - BBC Report on top 20 most dangerous drugs 7/7 Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Philippe Lucas of Vancouver Island Compassion Society - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Dr. Robert Melameade Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

[Courtesy of The Vancouver Island Compassion Society] The February issue of Cannabinoid Chronicles is now available for your viewing pleasure at: http://www.thevics.com/publications/vol5/VICSNews5_6.pdf Some stories: MMAR Provision Found Unconstitutional Sunshine Coast Constitutional Challenge Use Medical Cannabis, Lose Your Job Medical Cannabis Vending Machines IACM Bulletin Enjoy, Robin at the VICS

Kentucky: House Committee Approves Restoration Bill By a 7-1 vote, a House committee approved a bill that would restore voting rights to former offenders who have completed their sentence. The measure, however, has yet to attract wide support in the Republican-held Senate, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. If it passes both the House and the Senate, the bill would still require ratification by voters. National: Disenfranchisement's Effects, Roots In a personal account of disenfranchisement and the confusion and assumptions the public makes about who's eligible to vote, writer Amy Goodman explains how disenfranchisement affects the political system in the Arizona Daily Star. Goodman recounts a conversation with a friend who says he cannot vote due to a felony record and how she later reported back to him that he was misinformed and can, in fact, vote in his state. "We are constantly pushing for legislative change around the country. But public education is absolutely key," Ryan King, The Sentencing Project's policy analyst, was quoted as saying. "There are so many different laws that people simply don't know when their right to vote has been restored. That includes the personnel who work in state governments giving out the wrong information." Giving a historical overview of disenfranchisement's antebellum roots, Claremont Portside Magazine published an op-ed in support of re-enfranchisement. According to the article, in 1861, 19 of 34 states barred those with felonies from voting. "Then came the Civil War and the 14th and 15th Amendments. The latter outlawed disenfranchisement based of 'race, color, or creed,' but the former recognized a state's ability to withdraw that right for "participation in a rebellion, or other crimes," the article states. Noting that disenfranchisement silences poor and minority voters, the op-ed suggests that the nation incorporate ex-offenders in the process of self-government. Alabama: Struggle Part of State's History The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, Executive Director of The Ordinary People's Society (TOPS) wrote an op-ed for the Birmingham News on his efforts last month to register jail inmates in Alabama. He mentions that most of the inmates he came into contact with were not aware of their voter eligibility and in the article Glasgow connected the need to be politically active to Dr. Martin Luther King's dream for equality and justice. "After visiting jails and prisons throughout the state and registering thousands of voters, I can tell you these people are not being notified of their voting rights, nor is there a system in place that allows them to exercise those rights," said Rev. Glasgow. "The struggle for equality under the law - especially for voting rights - is a part of our state's history." For additional coverage, see the Drug Policy Alliance Web Site. California: Voting Behind Bars - Jail Inmates Eligible While Awaiting Trial An Associated Press article describes the public's misperception of voting in jail while awaiting trial. According to the article published in the San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco jail inmate "Derek Jackson interrupted a shower to accept the sealed ballot a lawyer pushed through the bars of the jail cell he shares with 11 other men, hoping to make a difference in the society with which he has often been at odds." Outreach efforts like those of Prisoner Legal Services educate jail inmates and formerly incarcerated individuals so they don't mistakenly assume their records bar them for life. Furthermore, its lawyers regularly hand out absentee ballots and registration applications to those awaiting trial. Though other jurisdictions across the country have said otherwise, San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessey believes he is responsible for ensuring that inmates understand their rights and have access to register and voting. "We who run jails are enforcement officers, and one of the roles of government is to make voting accessible to those who are eligible, so it is merely a law enforcement role as far as I'm concerned," he said. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org.