Pubdate: Thu, 09 May 2002
Source: Daily Gazette (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The Gazette Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.dailygazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/105
Author: Shirin Parsavand
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws)

DRUG LAW REFORM ASKED BY CLERICS

ALBANY - Religious leaders called on the state to reform mandatory 
sentencing laws for drug offenders on Wednesday, the 29th anniversary of 
the state's Rockefeller drug laws.

The clerics said they are seeing momentum for changing the laws this year, 
with reform proposals from the governor and the Assembly and efforts to 
organize those affected by the laws.

Gov. George Pataki and legislative leaders have been talking about reforms 
to the laws in recent weeks, and Pataki said Wednesday he sees drug law 
reform as a priority.

Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders who spoke at a news 
conference Wednesday said the long prison sentences imposed under the drug 
laws tear families apart.

The Rev. Clarence Grant, pastor of Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, 
cited case after case of parents whose children grew up while they were in 
prison.

Grant quoted one of these parents, Jan Warren, as saying the 12 years she 
spent in prison nearly destroyed her family.

"When you have been away for so long, it's extremely difficult to 
reestablish parental supervision and guidance. You become a stranger to 
your own children," he quoted Warren as saying.

Mokhtar Maghraoui, resident scholar of the Islamic Community of Troy, said 
some of those imprisoned by the drug laws are "wounded human beings" who 
need help.

"Instead, we give them severe punishment," he said.

The drug laws, enacted under Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, were a 
well-intentioned reaction to the serious problems of drugs in society, said 
the Rev. Howard Hubbard, bishop of the Albany Roman Catholic diocese.

"While the goals were laudable, history has proven this strategy fatally 
flawed," he said.

Blacks and Hispanics make up a disproportionate share of those imprisoned 
under the Rockefeller drug laws, according to the state Catholic 
Conference, which represents the state's bishops. Ninety-four percent of 
those imprisoned under the drug laws are black or Hispanic.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and other top Democrats issued a statement 
Wednesday saying they are "encouraged by discussions with the governor on 
this issue." But they said his proposals fall short of the reforms that are 
necessary.

The Republican governor said Wednesday he wants "sensible and balanced 
reforms" to the drug laws. He said he wants to give judges more discretion 
in sentencing, but make sure prosecutors still play a significant role.

Black and Hispanic voters want reform of the drug laws, said the Rev. Glen 
Missick, executive director of the African-American Council of the Reformed 
Church in America in New York City. He said he thinks political leaders 
will feel pressure to act on the issue as the fall election draws closer.

Last week, advocates for reforming the drug laws said the state could save 
more than $91 million by sending people convicted of second, nonviolent 
felony offenses to drug treatment instead of prison.

The Legal Action Center argued those savings could help the state's 
financial problems.
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