by Nicole Collins Bronzan Communications Director, Legal Action Center

LAC Applauds National Drug Strategy, Urges Allocation of Sufficient Funding for Prevention, Treatment and Recovery and Repeal of Discriminatory Barriers

Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

Lansing -- Michigan's prison system has undergone a culture change from locking up law breakers for as long as possible to being more selective about whom to put behind bars, state Corrections Director Patricia Caruso told officials at a prisoner re-entry conference Tuesday.

By Katherine Gregg

Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A state Senate commission has recommended the decriminalization of an ounce or less of marijuana.

by Annelise Grimm

With support from the Corporation for Supportive Housing, OpenDoors Housing LLC has purchased a building at 485 Plainfield Avenue in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Providence to be converted to subsidized green section 8 housing units. Upon completion, the building will provide housing for clients, as well as program and office space.

 Originally published at Brennan Center for Justice.

Laura Sullivan

NPR: All Things Considered

Leslie Chew spent his childhood working long days next to his father on the oil rigs of southern Texas. No school meant he never learned to read or write. Now in his early 40s, he's a handyman, often finding a place to sleep in the back of his old station wagon.

With support from the Corporation for Supportive Housing, OpenDoors has purchased a building at 485 Plainfield Avenue in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Providence to be converted to subsidized “green” housing units. Upon completion, the building will provide housing for clients, as well as program and office space. The building will also feature commercial space, with the aim of gearing this space towards complimentary services or employment opportunities for clients.

R.I. Change on Voting Rights for Ex-Convicts Wins Praise
By John Hill, Projo

July 30: PROVIDENCE — On Election Night in 2006, Marc Maurer was interested in the results from Kansas because he had a sister-in-law running for office out there, but the returns he checked every 10 minutes were out of Rhode Island.

December 1, 2009

Nov. 19: PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Financially struggling Rhode Islanders could get help soon from a $1.6 million grant from United Way of Rhode Island.
The money will help low- and moderate-income residents increase savings, earn more and build assets.

The money will go to nine agencies over the next three years, beginning in January.