Organizations

[Courtesy of Prisons Foundation] We hope that you will be attending this year's exciting edition of "From Prison to the Stage" at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, August 30, at 8 pm. Presented by the Prisons Foundation, it features excepts of plays and musicals written by prisoners and ex-prisoners. If you attended last year's program you know it was a big success, with a large overflow crowd. To accommodate many more people this year, the Kennedy Center has designated the popular and well-accommodated Millennium Stage on the ground level for our program. "From Prison to the Stage" is presented as part of the Kennedy Center's internationally acclaimed Page-to-Stage Festival. Attendance is free and open to all. Also free this year is an opportunity for justice organizations to distribute their literature during the program. We are pleased to announce that there will be free table space available for this purpose. The entire cost of "From Prison to the Stage" this year is being underwritten by the program's producer, Lloyd S. Rubin, so no additional funds will be solicited from organizations to help with the expenses. Just spread the word so that attendance will be at an all time high. If you are a representative of a justice organization, please send a hundred or so pieces of your literature to the Prisons Foundation, 1600 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20006 a week prior to the event (no signs please). If you can bring the material to the Kennedy Center on the evening of the event (and of course stay for a great program), you are welcome to do so. Whether or not you plan to bring or send literature, we invite you to be there and to forward this notice to your email list so that we will get the largest possible turnout. This is an opportunity to educate while entertain the public about the talent and humanity of our brothers and sisters behind bars at one of the world's foremost cultural and performance centers, the renowned Kennedy Center. Come encourage prisoners to cast off their second-class citizen status as they provide us with a night of theatrical elegance and excellence. Thank you for your interest and support.

Alabama: ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Crimes of Moral Turpitude, Restitution Requirement The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of three women who had completed their sentences but were denied their right to vote. The suit challenges a 2005 opinion by Attorney General Troy King expanding the types of offenses for which an individual can lose the right to vote. Approximately 250,000 people in Alabama are banned from voting because of a conviction for a crime of "moral turpitude," which is defined by statute. In 2003, the Alabama Legislature passed a law requiring the Board of Pardons and Parole to provide a "certificate of eligibility to register to vote" to all persons who have completed sentence and paid fines and restitution, as long as they had not been convicted of specified serious offenses. The 2005 opinion by the attorney general added additional disqualifying offenses, many of them nonviolent. The ACLU is arguing that the attorney general's list is unconstitutional because only the state legislature can define crimes of "moral turpitude." "This whole notion of moral turpitude is so vague and imprecise," said Laughlin McDonald, director of the ACLU's Voting Rights Project. "It's in the larger interest of the general public to rehabilitate people. It's one of the things that rehabilitates people, participating in the political process." The ACLU is also challenging the requirement that all fines and restitution be paid prior to being eligible to register to vote. Read the complaint, motion for preliminary injunction, and motion for class certification. Florida: Make a "Simple Fix" "Don't make convicts pay for their sins again," reads an Orlando Sentinel editorial in support of complete civil rights restoration. The editorial board urges Gov. Charlie Crist and the Executive Clemency Board to make a "simple fix" to modify current law that keeps many individuals with felony offenses from voting or applying for occupational or business licenses because they owe restitution. The Orlando Sentinel argues that voting rights should be restored automatically upon completion of sentence and job eligibility should be determined by the oversight agencies of the specific occupations. "It's important that they be given every reasonable opportunity to make the transition back to society as smoothly as possible," the editorial states. "Finding a job is critical. So why is Florida making that process more challenging?" Virginia: Collateral Consequences Unfair, Unnecessary "The labyrinth of rules and regulations for re- enfranchisement in the commonwealth needs to end," commented Edward Hailes Jr., senior attorney at Advancement Project, in reference to Virginia's disenfranchisement laws. In an op-ed published in the Roanoke Times, Hailes stated that denying citizens' voices is undemocratic and unjust. "Contrary to popular belief, felony disenfranchisement laws are not part of the criminal justice system. Instead, they are state election laws, enacted by state legislatures and governors or hardwired into constitutions. Losing the right to vote after a felony conviction in Virginia is not in any way part of a criminal sentence -- it is a collateral consequence dictated by state law." On behalf of the Advancement Project, Hailes applauded Gov. Tim Kaine's efforts to expedite the review process for petitioners with non-violent criminal records. Since taking office, Governor Kaine has restored voting rights to 1,809 persons who had been convicted of a felony. North Carolina: Community Groups Get Out The Vote Three organizations in North Carolina hosted a rally to educate people about the rights of formerly incarcerated citizens and register them to vote in the upcoming election. Democracy North Carolina, Fresh Start Incorporated and the Institute for Community Justice of Fayetteville State registered nine individuals at the event. "The right to vote is one of our most fundamental rights in a democracy," said Jennifer Frye, associate director of Democracy North Carolina. "It's a ticket to feeling like a first-class citizen." In North Carolina, citizens with felony offenses can vote after the completion of sentence, including probation and parole. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org

[Courtesy of MPP] Dear friends, With the world desperately short of blogs and clamoring for more, the Marijuana Policy Project has come to the rescue with our very own blog, at http://blog.mpp.org/. Seriously, we expect to post news and analysis you're unlikely to see anywhere else, including little-reported events and research studies that deserve notice but escape the attention of the mass media. Please check it out, sign up for a feed if you're so inclined, and let me know what you think. Regards, -- Bruce Mirken, Director of Communications -- Marijuana Policy Project -- P.O. Box 77492 -- Capitol Hill -- Washington, D.C. 20013

Soirée in the Land of Enchantment: Karen and I flew to Santa Fe, New Mexico on the 9th at the invitation of Sallie Bingham. Good food and conversation flowed for 3 hours as like-minded citizens met to share stories and support the Drug Policy Alliance. (http://www.drugpolicy.org/homepage.cfm) Misty donated about 14 books to anyone who contributed. Her hoof print signature graced the inside cover. Karen and I enjoyed 2 and one half days traveling by car in New Mexico. We enjoyed the magnificent landscape as we played tourist and scouted possible retirement locations. Me retire??!! Yikes!! Booked: I am scheduled to make a presentation to ‘by invitation only’ group of VIP conservatives this July 30th. Grover Norquist, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Reform (www.atr.org) made the arrangements. I am excited. Howard – radio host: My brother Frosty has a twice weekly, one hour radio program. As he went on vacation, he asked me to host it on the 8th. I had two guests, Richard Mack and Paul Armentano. LEAP speaker Sheriff Mack spoke passionately of his opposition to policy & specific problems it causes in Arizona. NORML deputy director Paul Armentano educated the audience on the practical uses of medicinal cannabis. I have been interviewed over 100 times by radio. It is fun. However, it is definitely a separate skill to be the interviewer. It is work. Concerned Senator: Jim Webb (D-VA): Bob in Colorado sent me the link to Senator Webb’s remarks, as Webb opened the 2nd Senate hearing on Mass Incarceration. The link follows: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/540/congress_joint_economic_committee_jim_webb_drug_policy_hearing. Senator Webb is the first MOC to call for hearings on our issue, EVER. Boy Scout motto: be prepared: Upon my arrival in DC, my mentor Eric Sterling advised me to always be ‘camera ready.’ In this town one never knows where or when a camera will shine on you or you meet a VIP unexpectedly. Thus I was in coat and tie on Wednesday evening at the Heritage Foundation event, though half the 100 gathered were w/o coat and tie. I engaged in conversation a person who had asked a question during the Q& A session. An hour later we exchanged business cards & a commitment to go to a shooting range and target practice (pistols). He was a fellow Texan and an advisor to President Bush. Thanks Eric. Note: before the program began, I was chatting with a retired oil executive. Upon learning I had been in Egypt, he asked, “Enta tatkallem Arabi?” I whipped off two decent sentences in Arabic. He wants me to speak to his Republican Club in Virginia. It was fun. Like riding Misty, speaking foreign languages is fun, a pleasant diversion and helps me from burning out.

[Courtesy of Shot Caller Press, LLC] Hello Everyone, I want to let you know that we have just completed the book "Cellblock Poetry", which features the 'best' poetry entered into our 2007 contest. I personally want to thank everyone for their support and effort. It is truly appreciated. Just so you know we are currently holding a writing contest for prisoners and ex-prisoners. We hope to publish an anthology of the 'best' stories and writers once again. We can only do so if we have enough entries to choose from, so please help us spread the word the contest closes August 31, 2008. To get the rules and obtain a copy of the entry form log onto: http://shotcallerpress.com/ and follow the contest link I would like to remind you all that we are looking for writers and artists to publish. Our goal is to provide realistic and unique insights into prisons and the criminal justice system through the medium of select writings and artwork. Our belief is that stories change the world. We are not a non-profit organization, because we want those who have been published through Shot Caller Press, LLC to know they have accomplished something. We are dedicated to publish the best, marketable writings and artwork. Our current mission here at Shot Caller Press, LLC is developing an inventory, which means we are in the process of editing and developing several manuscripts written by prisoners, their families and advocates working toward improving our current system. As we continue to develop these manuscripts we will continue to conduct contests for prisoners, their families and others involved, so keep watching for our contest announcements. If your interested in purchasing a copy of 'Cellblock Poetry' you can do so by going to our web site: http://shotcallerpress.com/store.htm. We use PayPal secure shopping cart for all orders Thanks again everyone hope to hear from you all real soon, Theresa M. Huggins CEO, Shot Caller Press, LLC [email protected] 503-890-1027

Louisiana: New Law Requires State to Notify Individuals of Voter Status A felon enfranchisement notice bill was signed by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal which requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to provide each person who completes their felony sentence with information about regaining the right to vote. The bill also requires that individuals are given a voter registration form. The law will go into effect August 15. Florida: Clock Running Down for Eligible Formerly Incarcerated Individuals to Register to Vote Governor Charlie Crist's decision to ease the restoration process for certain formerly incarcerated individuals last year was expected to impact between 250,000 and 300,000 citizens. However, the actual number of restored voters may be about 115,000 once the clemency board signs all the certificates, according to the Florida Parole Commission. Many barriers have slowed the process, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The Parole Commission suffered financial setbacks and has decreased staff despite a backlog of 60,000 restoration requests. And despite law enforcement and corrections agencies' efforts to send restoration certificates to formerly incarcerated citizens, many have been returned as undeliverable. "There are just too many impediments, and it doesn't seem like easy solutions are being adopted," said Florida ACLU attorney Muslima Lewis, who runs the group's efforts on restoration of rights. The ACLU and the People for the American Way Foundation have sponsored civil rights seminars and printed posters promoting a toll-free helpline, but funding was pulled last year. "We're looking for a needle in a haystack," said Sharon Lettman with People for the American Way Foundation. "At the end of the day, if they haven't seen our public service announcement on television or if they haven't seen a newspaper, they may not find out they can vote." Voters have until July 28 to register in time for the August 26 primary. For additional news, read Capitol News Service coverage. Tennessee: Changing Attitudes, Lawsuit May Increase Number of Voters Come November According to the Tennessee Secretary of State's Office, the voting rights of 469 citizens with felony offenses were restored over the last six months - twice the number of people who had voting rights restored during the same time last year, an Associated Press article reported. "We have a black man, Obama, that could lead a country that once enslaved people like him," said James Settles, who founded Aphesis House, a network of transitional living homes for ex-offenders. "I think some of the men would like to take part, experience that vote. But they've got a whole lot of things in their way." Tennessee does not automatically restore voting rights to persons who have completed their sentence. Citizens hoping to vote must first pay restitution and child support, which is being challenged in court by the ACLU Voting Rights Project. The first motion will be heard later this month in Nashville. National: Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Need Voting Rights in Order to Speak Up for Their Issues Writing about the lack of input formerly incarcerated citizens have upon returning to their communities due felony disenfranchisement laws, Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell, Associate Director of Development at the National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine expressed her support for vote restoration in a Blacknews.com op-ed. "As voters express their desire for change in America's presidential campaign, part of the change should be ensuring that all Americans can execute their constitutional right to vote." Delaware: House Bill Defines Completion of Sentence as Having Paid Restitution Delaware bill HB 457, which requires the full payment of fees and fines as part of the definition of "completion of sentence," was passed in the House earlier this week. The restoration process under the proposed law would include receiving a pardon or waiting five years after completion of a sentence as well as paying all fines and restitution before regaining voting rights. The Senate still has to approve the measure and lawmakers must approve the same bill a second time during the next General Assembly, which begins in January 2009, to complete the constitutional change. Read the Delaware News Journal for more coverage. Virginia: Citizens' Voting Rights Turns Political On NewAmericaMedia.org, Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson balances the political implications and motives of Virginia Governor Tim Kaine's consideration of expediting the restoration of voting rights to certain individuals with a felony conviction. Hutchinson stated, "[w]hatever the motive, the only thing that really counts is that the permanent felon bans that shove tens of thousands of ex offenders to a political netherworld be ended and ended now." - - - - - - 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