| Advocacy
ICARE’S “RESTORATION OF RIGHTS” PLATFORM:
Proposals Adopted into NYS Laws and Corrections Policies
2006
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Reintegration as a Sentencing Goal: Adds a fifth sentencing goal to the Penal Law, promoting successful reentry and reintegration as a goal of the state. Drafted by the Center for Community Alternatives. |
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Certificates of Relief from Disabilities Application Reports: Clarifies the process by which applicants for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities access their reports. Drafted by the Legal Action Center. |
2007
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Birth Certificates: Provides free, official birth certificates to NYC residents leaving state prisons and individuals leaving Riker's Island after 90 days of incarceration |
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Medicaid Suspension: Suspends rather than terminates Medicaid when a person becomes incarcerated. |
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Family Connections: Permanently lowers phone rates from prison and includes family members in decision-making process. Drafted by the Center for Constitutional Rights. See www.telephonejustice.org |
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Increased Employee Protection: Prevents employers from firing individuals with criminal conviction(s) if the employer did not inquire about criminal history at the time of hiring. |
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Identification Cards: Provides individuals leaving prison with all of the necessary documents required by the Department of Motor Vehicles for a non-drivers ID card. |
2008 Agenda
Employment
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Initiating policy changes to Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct, documents that remove bars to occupational licenses |
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Providing opportunities for individuals to have their records sealed |
Housing
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Proposing legislation to protect tenants from public housing discrimination |
Higher Education
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Supporting reinstitution of Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants for higher education courses in state prisons |
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Initiating legislation that makes it illegal for colleges to ban the applications of formerly incarcerated individuals |
Health Care
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Supporting legislation that requires individuals’ enrollment on Medicaid 90 days prior to their release from prison |
Voting
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Advocating for people on parole to gain the right to vote |
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Supporting legislation that requires notification about voting rights to formerly incarcerated people and New York State election boards |
Child Support
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Proposing a system by which parents can reduce their payments while incarcerated and cap their arrears upon release from prison |
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| Bill Webber, President Emeritus of New York Theological Seminary, congratulates a graduate of a Sing Sing higher education program. |
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