Oct 23, 2012 — A former editor of High Times magazine who once did federal prison time in the Adirondacks wants to run for governor in 2014.

Richard Stratton filed initial paperwork with the New York State Board of Elections earlier this month. He hopes to win the Republican line and take on Governor Andrew Cuomo.

An author, filmmaker and activist, Stratton says his time in prison has helped shape his views on prison reform and drug laws.  Go to full article

Dec 27, 2006 — This week, North Country Public Radio is speaking with North Country members of Eliot Spitzer's transition team. These are the people who are helping the Governor-elect formulate his policies going forward. Lee Clary of Black River sits on the criminal justice transition committee. Clary retired as a Jefferson County Court judge in 1999. He served as Jefferson County's district attorney for 10 years. He spoke with David Sommerstein about the Rockefeller drug laws, civil confinement of sex offenders, and the local justice court system. Clary says rural communities deal with a different mix of crimes than cities.  Go to full article

Apr 19, 2004 — Reforming the Rockefeller Drug Laws is an issue that has stagnated at the New York State Capitol, despite expressions of support from all of the major political players. Now, advocates are getting some help from the Argentinean Mothers of the Disappeared, who came to Albany to express solidarity with families who say they've lost a loved one to a long prison term. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 10, 2004 — The Chair of the Assembly Corrections Committee is pessimistic about the chances for any reform of the state's strict Rockefeller Drug Laws this year. Other advocates for change remain hopeful, and say repealing the laws could save the state money. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

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

Aug 22, 2002 — Agreement on reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws seems farther away than ever, now that Governor Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are trading heated charges over a failure to agree on a bill. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 21, 2002 — On what was officially the last day of the legislative session, Senate and Assembly leaders exchanged recriminations over the failure to agree on reform of the "Rockefeller Drug Laws". Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 13, 2002 — A debate in the New York State Senate over the reform of the Rockefeller drug laws reveals deep differences that remain over how exactly the strict drug laws should be weakened. Karen Dewitt reports.  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

May 10, 2002 — The Rockefeller Drug Laws are now entering their 30th year. Critics stepped up their demands that the harshest aspects of the sentencing laws be repealed. They are urging Governor Pataki and the legislature to act this session. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article