Oct 28, 2003 — Governor Pataki defended the lack of progress in achieving reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, at an announcement to expand drug treatment programs to 17 counties and New York City. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 13, 2003 — Lawmakers in Albany say they're closer than ever to a deal that would reform the state's Rockefeller drug laws. Under those laws, a person convicted for selling two ounces of cocaine serves a minimum of fifteen years behind bars.
With less than a week before the Senate is scheduled to adjourn for the summer, a last minute push for change is coming from a leader in New York City's hip hop community. But as Brian Mann reports, drug-law reform could hurt small towns in the north country that rely on prisons for good jobs.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2003 — The State Lobbying Commission took depositions Wednesday from officials of the Correctional Services Corporation. The commission is looking into whether the prison services company broke the state?s lobbying laws by giving free rides and other perks to some lawmakers. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 14, 2003 — Prison guards in New York State are worried that their ranks will be depleted as more military reservists are called to active duty. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 13, 2003 — A new study released by the Sentencing Project, a Washington-based think tank, says prisons offer little long-term economic benefit to rural communities. The group analyzed income and unemployment data in 14 rural, upstate counties over 25 years. Their findings suggest that counties without prisons have actually done better economically than counties with prisons. Martha Foley talks with Mark Mauer, assistant director of the Sentencing Project and a co-author of the study.  Go to full article

Jun 28, 2002 — A new report issued today argues that the 67,000 inmates in New York's prison system need better health care - and mental health counseling. Eleven percent of the state's prisoners are diagnosed with mental illness. Brian Mann talks with Jennifer Wynn, with the Correctional Association of New York, which issued the study.

The Department of Correctional Services declined to be interviewed to respond to the report, instead issuing a press release.  Go to full article

Jun 07, 2002 — The state legislature moved closer to reforming the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Assembly Democrats offered a bill that makes major concessions to Governor Pataki's conditions for changing the quarter-century old strict drug punishments. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Dec 14, 2001 — Hopes are fading for reform of Rockefeller era drug laws this legislative session. Karen Dewitt has an update.  Go to full article