Date Headline
12/13/2012 Christopher Scott testifies on the School to Prison Pipeline and proposes possible reforms.
10/3/2012 Join The Justice Roundtable in celebrating the past 10 years of advocacy with an awards reception honoring legislative and advocacy champions of criminal justice reform.
9/28/2012 The Open Society Policy Center and the Open Society Foundations co-hosts a Congressional Briefing on the past 10 years of Justice Roundtable advocacy and criminal justice reform looking ahead.
8/30/2012 On September 11, 2012, the Justice Roundtable will host its quarterly assembly.
5/9/2012 An executive clemency board is a promising option for addressing old crack cocaine cases not affected by Congress’ Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.
5/8/2012 OSPC and a growing number of national, state, and local civil and human rights organizations renewed their request for Congress to support the End Racial Profiling Act of 2011.
3/2/2012 On March 28, 2012, the Justice Roundtable will host its quarterly assembly.
3/2/2012 Open Society Foundations’ Conversations on Justice hosts a conversation about the future of criminal justice reform as discussed in the Sentencing Project’s new publication, To Build a Better Criminal Justice System: 25 Experts Envision the Next 25 Years of Reform.
2/15/2012 Various organizations filed an Amicus Brief arguing the Fair Sentencing Act should apply to all sentencing proceedings taking place after the law's enactment as a reflection of Congress’ intent to rectify the unfair and discriminatory 100-1 crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity.
12/6/2011 The piece originally appeared in the American Constitution Society blog. by  Nkechi Taifa, Esq.   Celebrities have a major impact on causes they embrace. I first witnessed this while working in the Free South Africa movement during the early 1980s, when tennis giant Arthur Ashe and legendary singer Harry Belafonte led a successful cultural boycott of South [...]
12/1/2011 OSPC and various civil and human rights organizations ask U.S. senators to pass the End Racial Profiling Act and establish a prohibition on racial profiling.
12/1/2011 The National Criminal Justice Commission Act would establish a blue-ribbon commission to take a comprehensive look at the criminal justice system in the U.S. and recommend reforms.
10/3/2011 OPSC Joined various other organizations in calling on the Senate CJS Appropriations Subcommittee to fund proven, cost-saving justice programs that combat overcrowding and reduce recidivism rather than spending scarce federal monies building new prisons.
9/20/2011 Nkechi Taifa discusses the flaws of the criminal justice system and its reliance on mandatory minimum sentencing.
6/11/2011 Nkechi Taifa testifies before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on the importance of applying the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively.
6/2/2011 Nkechi Taifa testifies before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on the importance of applying the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively.
7/30/2010 The Open Society Policy Center praised Congress for passing "The Fair Sentencing Act" on Wednesday, dramatically reducing the disparity in powder and crack cocaine sentencing from the egregious 100:1 ratio to 18:1.
7/28/2010 A coalition of concerned civil rights groups authored a letter to House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi to urge successful passage of the Fair Sentencing Act 2010.
1/1/2010 Offering insight and updates on the push toward legislative reform of the crack cocaine sentencing disparity, articles in this edition highlight the upcoming Dec. 2 call-in day, review legislation introduced in the House and Senate, and feature advocacy efforts and support from the Administration and conservatives.
10/15/2009 New legislation will eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
5/21/2009 Nkechi Taifa, senior policy analyst for civil and criminal justice reform, issued written testimony at the House Judiciary Subcommitte on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security's hearing "Unfairness in Federal Cocaine Sentencing: Is it Time to Crack the 100 to 1 Disparity?"
4/9/2009 Crack the Disparity, a coalition of groups including OSPC that work to end the disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine sentences, recently released its quarterly newsletter. Also, April is Crack the Disparity Advocacy Month which will culminate with a congressional lobby day on April 28 in Washington, D.C.
12/12/2007 The Open Society Policy Center welcomes the unanimous decision by the U.S. Sentencing Commission making sentencing guideline adjustments for federal crack cocaine cases retroactive.
12/11/2007 The Justice Roundtable Brochure describes the Mission, Priorities and Work of the Group.
10/2/2007 On October 2nd, 2007 the Open Society Policy Center, along with other like-minded organizations, issued an open letter to the United States Congress calling for an end to the crack-cocaine sentencing disparity by legislating guidelines consistent with the Sentencing Commission's recommendations.
5/19/2007 REFORMING CRACK & POWDER COCAINE SENTENCING: Making Sense of the USSC Guideline Amendment and Report to Congress May 21, 2007 9:00 am at B340 Rayburn House Office Building 2:00 pm at 485 Russell Senate Office Building REFORMING CRACK & POWDER COCAINE SENTENCING: Making Sense of the USSC Guideline Amendment and Report to Congress featuring Lisa [...]
3/30/2007 In March 2007, the House Judiciary Committee passed out the Second Chance Act and in the Senate it was reintroduced by Senators Biden, Specter, Brownback & Leahy.
11/15/2006 Senior Policy Analyst Nkechi Taifa testifies before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on the federal sentencing policy regarding cocaine.
6/5/2006 On June 4th, 2006 ABC's World News Tonight aired a piece entitled "Senator Gets Lessons at Jail" where Senator Brownback discussed the Second Chance Act.
5/17/2006 Nkechi Taifa, Sr. Policy Analyst for the Open Society Policy Center, examines that failure of U.S. law to address the disparity between crack and powder cocaine. In her paper, she explores ways that principles from the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination could form a basis for relief.
3/14/2006 The U.S. Sentencing Commission issued a comprehensive report today on the state of federal sentencing since last year's Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Booker, entitled "Report on the Impact of United States v. Booker on Federal Sentencing."
3/3/2006 On March 3rd, 2006, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights heard arguments against the use of mandatory minimum sentences in the United States. The panel of witnesses, moderated by Nkechi Taifa, Sr. Policy Analyst for the Open Society Policy Center, presented compelling arguments on why the use of mandatory minimum sentences is racially discriminatory and inhumane.
2/16/2006 The Open Society Policy Center has joined other Justice Roundtable members in an open letter to the United States Congress requesting an equalization of the penalty structure between crack and powder cocaine.
2/9/2006 Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will hold a hearing on the issue of mandatory minimum sentencing on March 3, 2006. Spurred by a petition from the Justice Roundtable and a supporting letter from the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, the commission will review findings that show mandatory minimums are applied [...]
1/20/2006 Nkechi Taifa, Senior Policy Analyst for the Open Society Institute and the Open Society Policy Center, recently commented on the disparity in sentencing for crack cocaine related offences in the Washington Afro American.
1/13/2006 The Second Chance Act is an important first step in addressing the reentry crisis. It aims to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and help states and communities to better address the growing population of people returning to communities from prisons and jails.
1/13/2006 On December 20th 2005, the Justice Roundtable, a broad based, informal coalition, issued a letter to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The letter requests a hearing to examine the issue of the discriminatory impact of mandatory minimum sentencing in the federal criminal system.
10/21/2005 Nkechi Taifa looks back at crack policy on the anniversary of The Million Man March in The Black Commentator.
10/4/2005 National Law Journal explores the Crack Cocaine Disparity with Nkechi Taifa.
9/23/2005 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine possession that are far in excess of penalties for powder cocaine. Some experts believe this has been the single most important factor accounting for the fact that, on average, African Americans receive much longer sentences when convicted than others. OSPC has launched a targeted campaign to mend this "crack" in the justice system.
9/22/2005 OSPC continues to advocate for The Second Chance Act, H.R. 1704, and the recently introduced Senate Bill S. 1934. Both enjoy strong bi-partisan support and are expected to pass in early 2006.
7/11/2005 Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System: Tulia, Texas, the Drug War and Beyond A guest talk by Nkechi Taifa Wednesday, July 13th, 6:30 to 8 PM UDC David A. Clarke School of Law Building 39, Room 208 4200 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, D.C. Nkechi Taifa, Sr. Policy Analyst at the Open Society Institute and [...]
6/12/2005 The Public Safety, Sentencing and Incarceration Reform Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives is hosting a luncheon briefing on the effect of current sentencing laws on women and children. A distinguished panel with offer personal stories and policy recommendations. Lunch will be provided.
6/7/2005 The Watching Justice Distinguished Speakers Series presents the release of a new report and recommendations with a panel discussion with Bert Brandenburg, Former Director of DOJ's Office of Public Affairs, and other experts.
5/25/2005 On May 25, 2005 Representative Sheila Jackson Lee introduced the "No More Tulias: Drug Law Enforcement Evidentiary Standards Improvement Act of 2005." Fifty national organizations have signed a letter to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee stating their support of this legislation as well as calling for a prompt hearing.
5/23/2005 The afternoon will feature an introduction of the "No More Tulias: Drug Law Enforcement Evidentiary Standards Improvement Act of 2005" by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a showing of "Hearne, Texas: Scenes from the Drug War," narrated by Julian Bond, and the 60 Minutes segment on Tulia, Texas. Discussion, questions & answers will follow.
4/3/2005 President Bush has proposed the elimination of Byrne Grants in this year's budget. While several groups across the ideological spectrum find some merit in this proposal, others have argued that eliminating the program is like "throwing the baby out with the bath water." This April 5th panel discussion will cover the full range of thought on reform initiatives, comprised of representatives from a wide array of groups.
1/12/2005 The Open Society Policy Center endorses a letter sent by 50 organizations to Congress encouraging them to take deliberative action on sentencing reform.
1/4/2005 OSPC is one of many diverse organizations that issued a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee asking the committee to vote against confirming Alberto Gonzales if he does not assure the American people of his commitment to the rule of law during his confirmation hearings.
6/23/2004 The full text of the Second Chance Act, as introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2004.
2/26/2004 The full text of the End Racial Profiling Act (HR 3847 and S. 2132) as introduced in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate during 2004.
9/5/2002 The Open Society Policy Center convenes the Justice Roundtable, a diverse coalition of over 50 national organizations working to reform the U.S justice system.  The Roundtable amplifies the capacity of these groups by coordinating key legislative and advocacy efforts through working groups, convening quarterly assembly meetings, and hosting a public policy discussion series.