Posts Tagged ‘Justice Department’
Texas Prison Reforms
According to a new report released by the Justice Department, Texas has become a successful example of a state that worked to reduce its prison population and find new solutions for nonviolent offenders.
In 2007, Texan lawmakers passed measures geared toward reducing the prison population and saving $443 million. They also invested $241 million in substance abuse and mental health treatment programs. These measures proved successful and the state’s prison population increased by .4% in 2008 (down from an average annual increase of 3% since 2003).
Texas is still considered far behind many other states in reducing its prison population, but these steps are the beginning.
According to University of Houston Law Center professor Sandra Guerra Thompson, University of Houston Law Center professor, agrees: “We’re way behind many other states, and we have a long way to go to catch up.” But, she said, “There seems to have been a change recently, a more nuanced approach.”
Read more here.
Posted by hcdmedia
No Prosecution for Medical Marijuana
The Justice Department issued a memorandum to 14 states today stating that people who use and distribute marijuana for medical purposes should not be prosecuted. Though this is seen as a major step for medical marijuana advocates, the Justice Department stated that this memo should not be confused as a moved toward marijuana legalization.
Posted by hcdmedia
The Justice Center Launches Reentry Resource Program
The Council on State Governments’ Justice Center has announced the launch of its National Reentry Resource Center.
The funding for this center comes for the US Department of Justice and the center will provide support for ex-offenders reentering society.
Check out the the resource center’s website.
Posted by hcdmedia