Riverhead, NY, Aug 23, 2010 — Last year the New York State Legislature voted to give drug addicts a second chance, by doing away with the last remnants of the Rockefeller drug laws. Some considered the old laws draconian and reformers praised the change saying it could stop the addiction cycle by diverting addicts bound for prison and instead send them to treatment. For the last couple months, reporter Charles Lane has been investigating how this judicial diversion has been implemented so far across the state. And he finds that the impact of the reforms largely depends on which county the addict is convicted in. Photos and timeline courtesy of WSHU.  Go to full article

Malone, NY, Aug 23, 2010 — Earlier this morning, we heard about drug sentences handed down under the newly-reformed Rockefeller drug laws. The reforms lifted the Rockefeller laws' sentencing mandates, giving judges in New York's 62 counties discretion in sentencing. In his story, Charles Lane introduced us to two people...one was sentenced by a Long island judge to a rehab program, though she was convicted for drug sales. The other was sentenced in Saratoga County to do time at Bare Hill Correctional facility in Malone, not rehab, though he was an addict looking for treatment.  Go to full article

Queensbury, NY, Jun 09, 2009 — State Senator Betty Little has spoken publicly about the difficulties she has faced in recent months, after falling into the minority for the first time in her Senate career. Yesterday's events promised to return the Queensbury Republican to power and could reopen issues as diverse as the Rockefeller drug law reforms and the future of Camp Gabriels prison near Saranac lake. Little spoke with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Apr 03, 2009 — The State Senate approved sweeping changes to the Rockfeller drug laws last night as a part of the state budget. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 05, 2009 — If the state Senate does vote to reform the Rockefeller drug laws this year, it would cut dramatically the number of inmates behind bars in New York. But state Senator Betty Little is still fighting to save Camp Gabriels, a prison camp near Saranac Lake that employs more than a hundred people. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Feb 05, 2009 — While much of the debate over prisons in Albany centers on the Rockefeller drug laws, inmate advocates are also hoping to revive education behind bars. The Correctional Association of New York, an inmate advocacy group, released its own report last week. The Association argues that offering prisoners access to college programs will cut dramatically the number of men and women who return to a life of crime after their release. Brian Mann spoke with Robert Gangi, executive director of the Correctional Association, who says education used to be a key part of prison life.  Go to full article

May 09, 2006 — The Democratic-led Assembly is pushing for a rollback of some of the Rockefeller-era drug laws. They say too many people are lingering in prison for years because of felony convictions for selling relatively small amounts of drugs. They say more money should be spent on rehab programs. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Jun 10, 2005 — Democrats in the New York State Assembly are trying to revive reform of the Rockefeller drug laws with a new proposal that offers more treatment to non-violent drug offenders. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Dec 08, 2004 — The New York State Senate and Assembly have agreed on a partial reform of the state's Rockefeller Drug Laws. The lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement with Governor Pataki on budget reform. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 07, 2004 — Groups involved in reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws have joined together to put pressure on a joint legislative conference committee that will meet on Rockefeller Drug Law Reform. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article