Academic

Rockefeller Drug Laws Repealed!

By Laura Appleman

As of yesterday, the NYTimes has reported, the punitive Rockefeller Drug Laws have finally gotten the requisite votes to be repealed:

The deal would repeal many of the mandatory minimum prison sentences now in place for lower-level drug felons, giving judges the authority to send first-time nonviolent offenders to treatment instead of prison.

The plan would also expand drug treatment programs and widen the reach of drug courts at a cost of at least $50 million.

This is great news for New York, particularly the move to expand drug treatment programs and widen the reach of drug courts.  Although there will be some up-front costs, the savings to the court system, the prisons and the community will be immeasurable. 

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on March 26, 2009 (boomark / email).