Organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2009 CONTACT: Tony Newman at (646) 335-5384 or Tommy McDonald at (646) 335-2242 Drug Policy Alliance Co-Hosts Landmark 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Albuquerque, November 12-14 Unprecedented International Delegation, Two New Mexico Governors, Former Foreign Minister of Mexico Join Key Activists, Law Enforcement and Top Researchers at Leading World Forum to Chart Pivotal Shifts in Drug Policy and Sharpen Strategies for Cutting-Edge Reforms ALBUQUERQUE-- Why are elected officials from across the political spectrum starting to talk openly about ending marijuana prohibition in the United States? Can cash-starved state and local governments conserve funds by cutting ineffective drug war programs and emphasizing treatment over incarceration? What drove three former Latin American presidents this year to release an influential report that called for "breaking the taboo" on open and honest discussion of alternatives to prohibition, decriminalizing marijuana and treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal justice matter? Learn the answers to these questions, pose your own and participate in the cutting edge of drug policy at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Albuquerque, November 12-14. The conference, organized by the Drug Policy Alliance and dozens of other organizations (see list of groups below) will play host to nearly 1,000 leaders in international drug policy - including elected officials, law enforcement, health care and drug treatment professionals, researchers, religious leaders, formerly incarcerated Americans and reform advocates from around the world. The Drug Policy Alliance is the nation's leading organization working to end the war on drugs and promote new drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights. In the past decade, U.S. voters and legislators have enacted more than 150 drug policy reforms on issues ranging from medical marijuana to overdose prevention to bans on racial profiling. Building on the momentum from these victories, conference participants will survey the current drug policy landscape and strategize the next steps. Topics to be discussed include: • Taxing and Regulating Marijuana - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger caused a stir this year when he said it's "time for a debate" on whether to tax and regulate marijuana. Now advocates for ending marijuana prohibition are gathering signatures to place a tax-and-regulate measure on the 2010 ballot in California, and in the state legislature, CA Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has introduced his own tax-and-regulate bill. Ammiano and the ballot measure backers will be at the conference in Albuquerque. • International Drug Policy Reform - Argentina and Mexico took major steps this summer to decriminalize personal drug use, on the heels of a groundbreaking report by three former Latin American presidents calling for a "paradigm shift" in international drug policy. The report calls for "breaking the taboo" on open and honest discussion of alternatives to prohibition, decriminalizing marijuana and treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal justice matter. Former Mexico Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda highlights a panel examining the impact of these moves on the drug war violence in Mexico, as well as the intersection of U.S. drug policy and immigration laws. • Veterans and the War at Home - Returning veterans, facing high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges, also suffer from high rates of drug addiction. At the conference, leading experts on treatment and harm reduction will take the first in-depth look at a new report detailing treatment options for veterans and recommendations for optimal care. • Pushing the Envelope: The Next Stage in Harm Reduction - Harm reduction has come a long way since syringe exchange was first introduced to stem the transmission of disease among people who use IV drugs. Now advocates and treatment professionals are building support for additional life-saving measures, such as prescription heroin for people suffering from addiction and supervised injection facilities to reduce the risk of disease and overdose. • New Mexico: Leading the Way - New Mexico stands at the forefront of U.S. drug policy reform, buoyed by the support of current Gov. Bill Richardson and former Governor Gary Johnson—both of whom are scheduled to attend this year's conference. We'll examine New Mexico's unique state-run system for medical marijuana distribution and the state's pioneering Good Samaritan 911 law that protects individuals from drug possession charges when they seek medical help for an overdose victim. The Drug Policy Alliance is co-hosting the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference with the ACLU, the Harm Reduction Coalition, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Marijuana Policy Project, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, the Open Society Institute and Students for Sensible Policy. For a full list of partners and more information on the conference: Visit http://www.reformconference.org/

Wisconsin: Disenfranchising Legislation Afoot, as is Prosecution for Voting Nearly 200 Wisconsin citizens may have illegally voted in the November 2008 presidential election and could face prosecution, a state official said. Of the nearly 3 million votes cast in the election, 195 names matched those of individuals with felony convictions, the Chicago Tribune reported. The election audit comes as the Wisconsin Democracy Restoration Act is advancing in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. The legislation, SB 240, would give residents the right to vote once they are released from prison or jail. The change would immediately re-enfranchise more than 41,000 felons on probation and parole. The Sentencing Project submitted testimony to the Wisconsin Legislature in support of the bill which would move Wisconsin in line with the neighboring states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio which all have less restrictive disenfranchisement policies. Maine: NAACP Promotes Civic Activism in Prisons The NAACP in Maine has registered more than 200 inmates at five of the state's seven adult correctional centers in an effort to promote civic activism in one of only two states that allow individuals to vote while incarcerated, the Associated Press reported. "Having that access to the vote makes a difference. It makes me feel I'm continuing in the loop of the community and society. You feel like you count," said Maine inmate Randal Horr, who registered to vote with the help of NAACP volunteers. For additional coverage, read the Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel and Colorlines. National: Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 is Necessary Legislation "People on parole are forced to get a job. It's part of your conditions. If you're paying taxes, you should be allowed to vote," said Kenneth Harrigan of The Fortune Society, an organization that works with the formerly incarcerated. An article published on The Grio highlights the importance of the Democracy Restoration Act legislation which would allow individuals with felony offenses to vote in all federal elections. The article states that the current laws have an overwhelming racial impact on elections. Florida: Cutbacks, Confusion Result in Possibility of Rescinded Voting Rights Two years after Gov. Charlie Crist removed vote restoration barriers for some, an audit has revealed 13 people had their rights restored despite being ineligible. The Clemency Board, made up of Crist and three Cabinet members, will review the cases in December. Some members are proposing the idea to not rescind voting rights for individuals that committed crimes decades ago unless there were aggravating circumstances. - - - - - - 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

National: The Sentencing Project Submits Petition to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Discriminatory Effects of Felony Disenfranchisement A report submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights by The Sentencing Project and partners examines the practice of felony disenfranchisement in the United States and the nations of the Americas, and analyzes the impact of these polices on racial and ethnic minorities. The report describes the international momentum in support of reform, both among treaty-monitoring bodies at the United Nations and in jurisprudence in a number of countries, and calls upon the Commission to examine this practice among its member states. Wisconsin: Historic Vote Gets State Closer to Restoration of Democracy The Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts passed the Wisconsin Democracy Restoration Act out of committee this week marking an historic era for the state. The legislation would lift a ban that prevents 42,000 people on probation and parole from voting. Prior to the vote, nearly 70 advocates and organizational representatives testified in support of the legislation at the committee hearing. The bill must now go to the floor for a vote and to the state Senate in early October. For more, visit OnMilwaukee.com. Virginia: Governor Makes Record, But Disenfranchised Still Waiting Despite the fact that Gov. Tim Kaine has restored the rights of 3,598 residents with felony pasts, more that 300,000 of Virginia's residents continue to be disenfranchised, according to the Roanoke Times. Gov. Kaine has restored rights to more individuals with felony convictions than any other Virginia governor since at least 1938, the Times reported, but there continues to be a lengthy, cumbersome process that takes at least six months of background checks and paperwork. "That means if everyone who is eligible were to apply, it would take more than 200 years to process all the applications," the Times reported, based on a study by the Advancement Project. New Jersey: Why the Right to Vote is Necessary Today Members of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey have led an effort to encourage voter participation by writing about their personal voting experiences on NJ.com. One member wrote about her need to vote because so many others are banned from doing so - including people with felony records. "We also should realize that the struggle for the vote isn't over. It goes on in other countries, of course, but it continues in ours too," wrote Anne Maiese of the organization. "From long-standing laws that take the vote from felons and ex-felons, sometimes for the rest of their lives, to efforts to impose difficult ID requirements, the powerful resist giving voting rights to those without it. Let's treasure this right, exercise it whenever possible, and try to make sure others have it too!" Florida: It's Time for Advocates to Stand Up It's time to give people a second chance, Jacksonville Times Union blogger, Stanley Scott stated. His blog post urges advocacy organizations to increase their efforts in order to help get individuals with felony records reenfranchised. "As this civic and human rights atrocity continues, leading religious human and civil rights leaders, and civil liberties organizations must aggressively encourage reconsideration of disenfranchisement policies." - - - - - - 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 The Safe Streets Arts Foundation] We are pleased to report that the Judy Dworin Performance Project, which was a big hit at our "From Prison to the Stage" show at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 5, has returned safely to its home in Hartford, Connecticut. The Judy Dworin Performance Project (JDPP) was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit organization to provide support for individual artists, particularly the silent and silenced. Over the past 20 years, JDPP has provided innovative, inspiring, educational and collaborative art rooted in the belief that the arts can be a powerful agent for change. Upcoming events of JDPP: • October 30, 6:30pm - Excerpts from the award winning The Witching Hour at the Old State House in downtown Hartford • Nov 5, 6 & 7, 7:30pm - Premiere of What I Want to Say at Charter Oak Cultural Center, an evening that celebrates past pieces and debuts from the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble. • Feb 2 - Dreamings, a piece created at York Correctional Institution (women's state prison), as further developed by formerly incarcerated women and family members of the incarcerated, at Kinsella Performing Arts Magnet School. Upcoming residencies: The Moving Matters! Residency program of JDPP brings movement-based multi-arts residencies into schools, prisons and community centers through collaborative multi-arts projects. • A 5th year in residence at York Correctional Institution, with workshops in dance, song, storytelling, poetry and personal testimony on the theme of "Bridging the Divides" to culminate in July • A further development of the York Moms & Kids program bridging the divide between incarcerated mothers and their children. For further information about JDPP, its performance or residency work or DVDs of work listed here, please visit www.judydworin.org or contact [email protected] or 860.527.9800.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) was founded seven years ago to provide a channel for current and former members of law enforcement who believe U.S. drug policies have failed. Prohibition has perpetuated the problems of violent crime, drug abuse, addiction, juvenile drug use, and the illegal drug trade. LEAP is building a broad public movement to bring about the legalization and regulation of all drugs and seeks an experienced Development Director. LEAP differs from and complements other organizations in the drug-reform movement in that we are better able to reach out to a large segment of the population who may see drug-policy reform as a front for politically active drug users. However inaccurate this perception, the credibility of our speakers serves as a jumping off point from which we are able to reach people who would be otherwise unwilling to listen. Modeled on Vietnam Veterans Against the War, LEAP has an unparalleled credibility when its current and former drug-warriors speak out about the horrors of the war on drugs. LEAP's message is well received by the public, demands the attention of the media and rings true with many other drug warriors who have grown skeptical of current U.S. drug policies. We see anyone interested in establishing a rational, ethical and effective drug policy as an ally on this issue. The positive public reaction to former drug warriors speaking out against the war confirms and strengthens this perspective. LEAP is seeking a Director of Development who will manage and grow all aspects of its philanthropic support and outreach, and guide the advancement team and the organization through its next stage of development. This includes annual appeals, individual giving, special events, corporate sponsorship, and foundation grants. The Director of Development will develop and execute a fundraising strategy to maximize the potential of current funding sources and uncover additional avenues of revenue. One key area of focus will be to build a major gifts program. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, s/he will also collaborate with the Executive Director, senior staff, and volunteers on donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity. Responsibilities include the planning, structuring, implementing and monitoring of an effective development program to increase the current and permanent assets of LEAP, to include semi-annual fund appeals and other appeals as needed; working with the Chief of Staff and Executive Director to position all development activities within LEAP's mission and Strategic Plan; developing new sources of funding, especially major donors, as well as secure multi-year funding sources to ensure LEAP's long-term sustainability; working to move existing donors to the next level of involvement; identifying and cultivating new major donor prospects including individuals, corporations, and foundations throughout the country and internationally, through phone calls, correspondence, and special events in order to strengthen and nurture LEAP's donor base; developing and writing proposals continually for submission to new corporate and foundation donors; providing stewardship to major gift donors; coordinating with the Program team the management of the database for internal tracking systems and for the development and maintenance of prospect records for mailings, solicitations, etc.; and providing regular reports and updates to the Chief of Staff and Executive Director as requested. This is a full-time position with a salary of $45,000 per year. Medford, MA is the preferred location, but exceptional applicants who desire to live/work elsewhere will be considered. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2009. Interested persons should send a letter of intent and resume to Kristin Daley, Program Manager, at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.