Republican candidate for governor Carl Paladino said he would transform some New York prisons into dormitories for welfare recipients, where they would work in state-sponsored jobs, get employment training and take lessons in “personal hygiene.”

The Obama administration will unveil its national AIDS strategy tomorrow. It recognizes the persistent discrimination those living with HIV face, and will strengthen enforcement of civil rights laws to protect those with HIV/AIDS.

An estimated five percent of the one million women incarcerated each year are pregnant when they enter jail. Cases of fatal medical neglect of incarcerated pregnant women highlight the need for protecting their health, rights, and lives.

Written by Rachel Roth for RHRealityCheck.org – News, commentary and community for reproductive health and justice.

Sentencing alternatives for incarcerated mothers, such as family-based treatment programs, promote evidence-based outcomes and cost-effective approaches–and honors the sacred ties between mothers and their children.

Written by Malika Saada Saar for RHRealityCheck.org – News, commentary and community for reproductive health and justice.

It is nearly impossible to calculate the level of damage that the criminal Bush Administration did to our concepts of civil liberties and protections. The main reason for this is the furtive nature in which they made decisions and implemented them. An excellent example of this is a prison program you have never heard of. [...]

One teenager with an addicted and incarcerated mother writes an open letter to two other teens whose mother has just pleaded guilty to drug charges. The fact that one of them used to be engaged to Sarah Palin’s daughter is actually irrelevant.

I got to thinking yesterday that if I did have to submit to a teaching moment, I’d prefer the teacher be Dave Chappelle rather than Old Grouch Gates. Maybe bringing all this racism out in the open is the right step. But then I noticed that Dave’s white friend is always drinking, while Dave’s always blowing a doob. Notice the famous get together at the White House is just a beer party, not a real House Party. Something’s missing here. You can’t talk about police relations, racism, black problems, intolerance, fear, while leaving out guns, drugs, and violent crime. Or at least it makes for a pretty boring conversation – what will they discuss, mortgage costs and health care? But should they discuss something potentially heated, I’d suggest they’re doing the wrong drug. White House security police should be on the alert. See, much as I like beer, it stimulates the reptilian response in argumentation, which is why the Greeks didn’t allow it in rhetorical debates (though they set aside a few bleacher seats at the Olympics for those Dionysian beer hooligans). But a bit of weed and some good Scooby snacks, those 3 can chat all night in friendly fashion, I’m sure.