Rockefeller Drug Law Reform Becomes Active Tomorrow: 1,500 Incarcerated People Eligible for Resentencing and Release, Judges Now Have Discretion

Governor Paterson to Mark Milestone at Brooklyn Courthouse on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

An Army of Legal Advocates and Human Service Agencies Stand Ready to Provide Reentry, Drug Treatment and other Services

NEW YORK - October 7 - On Wednesday, October 7, key elements of the Rockefeller Drug Law reform go into effect: Decision making authority is returned to judges, who can now divert people suffering from drug dependency into treatment and other service programs, instead of prison. And nearly 1,500 people currently incarcerated for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses under the Rockefeller Drug Laws can petition the court for resentencing and, if approved by a judge, will be released.

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