8th April 2004
New York, NY- A new report released by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Law School, Accuracy Counts: Incarcerated People and the Census examines the fiscal and social impact the Census count has on communities by counting prisoners where they are incarcerated and not their home communities. Among its findings, the report shows how 'tough on crime' policies, rural prison siting, and the return of thousands of formerly incarcerated people back into their communities has created a disparate gap in the allocation of public funding.
"Prisoners should be counted in their home communities," says Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)."These are the communities they will most likely return to and it is crucial that we allocate resources to help communities provide much needed services to their returning members."
The report is available online at the Brennan Center's website.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.