Category Archives: Drug Policy

HUD’s new rules may have major impact on affordable housing for people with criminal records

Posted on November 9, 2015 by

Last week was celebrated for President Obama’s encouragement for America to reduce employment discrimination against people with past records, and his own executive action to ban the box on federal job applications. The heart of that story is how directly … Continue reading →

Posted in Drug Policy, Housing, Movement Building, Politics, Reentry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Confession of a Drug Dealer

Posted on January 12, 2014 by

There is a whole lotta shaking going on in Colorado, Washington, and Uruguay these days. And it’s all about weed. Even a conservative columnist had to chime in about the big bad scary weed, as if he can revive the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Drug Policy | 1 Comment

Fed Court Rules on Racist Crack Law- SCOTUS on Deck

Posted on May 25, 2013 by

After decades of public agitating that the federal sentencing laws are creating racist results, Congress famously lowered the 100-to-1 weight ratio (cocaine powder to crack) down to 18-to-1 with the Fair Sentencing Act in 2010.  A significant remaining question is … Continue reading →

Posted in Drug Policy, Race | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Unprison 2011-2013 Index

Posted on February 5, 2013 by

Below you will find an index of the articles written over the past several years for Unprison.  Readers are encouraged, as issues arise in your area, to utilize the research, analysis, and opinions presented below.  Some of these have appeared elsewhere, … Continue reading →

Posted in Actions, Commentary, Courts, Death Penalty, Drug Policy, Education, Employment, Housing, Innocence, Legislation, Mental Health, Police, Political Prisoners, Politics, Prison Conditions, prison economics, Prisoner Health, Race, Rehabilitation, SCOTUS, Uncategorized, Voting Rights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Orleans to Re-Write Policy on Housing and Criminal Convictions

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

After months of pushing the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) regarding a specific change in their Admissions and Evictions policies, a public hearing is scheduled for tomorrow night (Tues. 1/22/13), at HANO, 4100 Touro Street.  This effort was spearheaded … Continue reading →

Posted in Actions, Commentary, Drug Policy, Housing, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Tragedy We Know Obama’s Gun Control Moves Will Accomplish

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

The 18th Executive Order signed by President Obama is to provide incentives (and funding) for schools to have police oversee the children.  This will create results.  Of all the other items concerning background checks and manufacturing specifics for future guns, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Drug Policy, Legislation, prison economics, Race, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Criminal Justice Expert Poised for NOLA City Council Seat

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

When Dana Kaplan soared into position for a December run-off election, it became clear that something big is happening in the city of New Orleans- the most incarcerated city in the most incarcerated state in the most incarcerated nation in … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Drug Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

So You Want To Be A Prosecutor? 6 Rules to get started.

Posted on May 15, 2012 by

I have recently had several conversations with aspiring prosecutors, all of whom have an idealist desire to punish wrong-doers and protect the public.  It became obvious that they had very limited experience with the criminal justice system at all.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Drug Policy, Innocence, Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Iowa Caucus: Did the Anti-War Candidate Really Just Win??

Posted on January 4, 2012 by

Iowa Caucus Results: With all the votes counted, Mitt Romney at 25%, and Rick Santorum (a mere 8 votes behind) will split the delegate tally.  This split helps any other challenger, Ron Paul in particular, who came in at 22%. Gingrich (14%), Perry … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Drug Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Out of L.A.- FICPM Will Register 1 Million Voters Opposed to Mass Incarceration

Posted on November 10, 2011 by

When a young woman from Arizona asked how she could get her voting rights restored, she heard a blunt reply:  “We don’t need you to get your rights restored.  We need you to get together with other folks and work … Continue reading →

Posted in Actions, Drug Policy, Prison Conditions, prison economics, Voting Rights | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments