 |
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY Today marks the launch of the Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons, a national panel that will work for one year to explore the most serious problems inside U.S. correctional facilities and their impact on the incarcerated, the people who guard them and society at large. The panel is co-chaired by former United States Attorney General Nicholas de B. Katzenbach, who was appointed by President Johnson, and the Honorable John J. Gibbons, former Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, who was appointed by President Nixon. The 21-member, nonpartisan panel includes other respected civic leaders with experience in the administration of justice and law enforcement, seasoned corrections professionals, advocates for the rights of prisoners, former prisoners, and members of the religious community. "The United States correctional system costs more than 60 billion dollars annually. This year, an estimated 13.5 million people will spend time in prison or jail, and, on any given day, 750,000 men and women work in correctional facilities," said Katzenbach. "Despite these numbers and some compelling evidence of abuse and safety failures inside prisons and jails, there is little public knowledge about the nature and extent of the problems and how to solve them. Instead, we seem to have a gap between our cherished ideals about justice and the realities of the prison environment." "The time is right for this Commission," said Gibbons. "There is strong bi-partisan support for a more effective and humane approach to corrections. Recent federal legislation aimed at eliminating rape in prison is one important example, and there's increasing activity at the state level. We have an unusual opportunity to change our prisons and jails so they come closer to reflecting America's values and serving our best interests." The Commission will explore the most serious problems inside correctional facilities today: violence, sexual abuse, degradation, severe overcrowding, inhumane treatment for the mentally-ill, and insufficient support for the men and women who staff facilities. Over the course of a year, the Commission will hold four public hearings, with the first in Tampa, Florida, on April 19 and 20. Following a thorough examination of the issues, the Commission will produce a report including practical recommendations that local, state, and federal policy makers can act on. The Commission also intends to encourage, support and build on related efforts that will outlive it and sustain both the dialogue and the reform process. The Commission is staffed by and funded through the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit organization that has worked closely with leaders in government and civil society for more than 40 years to improve the administration of justice. For more information about the Commission and its members, visit www.prisoncommission.org. |
|
We are careful not to duplicate the efforts of other organizations, and as a grassroots coalition of prisoners and social reformers, our resources (time and money) are limited. The vast expertise and scope of the various drug reform organizations will enable you to stay informed on the ever-changing, many-faceted aspects of the movement. Our colleagues in reform also give the latest drug war news. Please check their websites often. |
|
|
 |
