Blog of Rights
Rachel
Bloom

Rachel Bloom is an Advocacy and Policy Strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union. Her work focuses on state based criminal justice reform, with particular attention paid to drug testing of public benefit recipients, collateral consequences, private prisons and policing. Focusing on these issues, she works with ACLU affiliates throughout the country, as well as with national partners, to advance progressive reform and defeat regressive legislation. Ms. Bloom is a proud alumnae of Barnard College and received her Masters degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics.

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05/18/2012
Crack Sentencing

Victory in Missouri

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 6:09pm
Today Missouri lawmakers took a major step towards justice in their state when they passed legislation to reduce the sentencing disparity between crack and powder ... Read More
04/18/2012
Drug-Testing Welfare Recipients

Just as We Suspected: Florida Saved Nothing by Drug Testing Welfare Applicants

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 1:52pm
Over 25 states introduced welfare drug testing legislation similar to Florida's this year. Read More
03/02/2012
Drug-Testing Welfare Recipients

Drug-Testing Welfare Recipients: A Trend with No Traction

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 4:26pm
Two months into the state legislative session, not a single welfare drug testing bill has passed into law. Read More
02/21/2012
Private Prisons

Is CCA Trying to Take Over the World?

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 5:29pm
The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) sent a letter to 48 state governors offering to buy up their state-owned and operated prisons and put them under CCA ... Read More
02/03/2012
Drug-Testing Welfare Recipients

The Daily Show Tells Florida Legislators: "I Think I’m Gonna Need You to Pee into This Cup"

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 12:09pm
Last night the Daily Show featured ACLU client Luis Lebron, a Navy veteran who refused to take the drug test required by the State of Florida for welfare applicants. Read More
10/12/2011
Drug-Testing Welfare Recipients

Poor People Have Rights Too

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 4:05pm
Drug-testing those applying for public assistance is unconstitutional, shortsighted and will end up costing states more than any possible savings. Read More
09/14/2011
War on Drugs

Got Urine? ACLU Sues College Over Mandatory Drug Testing

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 5:12pm
Today the ACLU filed suit in federal court to stop Linn State Technical College, a public college in Missouri, from drug testing all of their incoming students ... Read More
09/08/2011
Drug Law Reform

Pass a Drug Test Before You Can Pass a Class

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 5:05pm
This week, a college in Missouri broke the law and violated the Fourth Amendment rights of its students. Linn State Technical College became the first public ... Read More
08/22/2011
Drug-Testing Welfare Recipients

Told You So: Florida's New Drug Testing Policy Already Costing Taxpayers More

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 5:57pm
We've told you a few times about Florida's horrible new law that drug tests all families applying for cash benefit welfare applicants. The law, which went into ... Read More
08/19/2011
Drug Law Reform

Smoke Pot, Lose Your Kid (If You're Black)

By Rachel Bloom, ACLU at 11:18am
I have some friends who grew up in homes where their parents smoked pot. Their parents also loved them, fed them, clothed them, quizzed them for exams, nursed them ... Read More
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