Black activist Debbie Sims Africa overcame a decade of parole denials and finally received her freedom after serving nearly 40 years within Pennsylvania’s prison system. Africa and eight other MOVE members were all jointly convicted of a policeman’s murder in 1978. MOVE is a political organization founded in 1970s Philadelphia to protest rampant police brutality. The officer died during a raid on MOVE’s residential headquarters, detailed in a recent workers.org article. Africa, now 61, is the first of the “MOVE 9” to be … [Read more...] about One member of Black liberation group paroles
Pipeline protester takes plea deal
Standing Rock activist Red Fawn Fallis recently accepted a federal plea deal in order to avoid facing trial for the attempted murder of a police officer that took place at a Dakota Access Pipeline protest, according to the website unicornriot.ninja. Authorities claim that Fallis fired three shots at them during her arrest while protesting against construction of the North Dakota pipeline in October 2016. Her supporters describe the charges as inconceivable. “None of us could believe it. We just collectively burst into tears,” Eryn Wise, a … [Read more...] about Pipeline protester takes plea deal
Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’
University of California at Berkeley filmmakers visited San Quentin for an exclusive screening of “From Incarceration to Education,” an original documentary about four formerly incarcerated persons who successfully became UC graduate students. The April event included a question and answer session with first-time directors Skylar Economy and Christian Collins. They were joined by two of the film’s formerly incarcerated stars, Richard Rodriguez-Leon and Shalita Williams. "SNY [Sensitive Needs Yard] ...comprises roughly half the … [Read more...] about Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’
More women and mothers winding up behind bars
As the female population behind bars continues to rise nationally, so does the number of mothers. Consequently, their children face traumatic and lengthy separations from their primary caregiver, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. “When you incarcerate women, you incarcerate the whole family,” said Lavette Mayes, a woman who spent more than a year in Cook County Jail because she had no way to raise $25,000 for bail on a domestic aggravated assault charge. “64% of California’s jail population is awaiting trial or sentencing as … [Read more...] about More women and mothers winding up behind bars
Reintegraciόn y trabajo dificil para Ex-Convictos
Ex convictos continúan siendo estigmatizados por su historial criminal, en particular al intentar buscar un trabajo legítimo. Sin embargo, los empresarios están enfrentando una creciente presión a nivel nacional para cambiar sus pólizas de no ofrecer empleo a ex convictos. Una vez que un preso se reintegra a la sociedad, encontrar y mantener un empleo se convierte en el principal factor que determina sí un preso tiene éxito o regresar a la prisión. El movimiento “Ban the box” buscar revocar las pregunta de “si” o “no” a cerca de felonías … [Read more...] about Reintegraciόn y trabajo dificil para Ex-Convictos
Pregnant prisoners shackled
Pregnant female prisoners – even those in the midst of labor – must suffer the indignity and discomfort of mandatorily being shackled and handcuffed by San Diego County Sheriffs, according to a recent Voice of San Diego news article. “Drug-overdose deaths drove a decline in U.S. life expectancy in 2016 for the second year in a row…” THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Dec. 21, 2017 2013 legislative bill implemented specific law to prohibit such restraints. The SD Sheriff’s Department, however, chooses to interpret the phrase, “…unless deemed necessary … [Read more...] about Pregnant prisoners shackled
Florida’s prison commissary prices “highway robbery”
Outside advocacy groups joined with Florida’s prisoners in a protest called Operation PUSH to bring attention to the state’s long history of overcharging for basic canteen items, while simultaneously underpaying its inmate workforce, reported a PolitiFact Florida article. “One case of soup on the street costs $4,” PUSH said in an anonymous website statement. “It costs us $17 on the inside. This is highway robbery without a gun.” In January, protesters rallied and picketed outside the Department of Corrections in Tallahassee to demand … [Read more...] about Florida’s prison commissary prices “highway robbery”
Former inmate develops “prison instagram”
Marcus Bullock discovered a wealth of entrepreneurial insights during his time behind bars. His prison experiences inspired him to create Flikshop—an innovative app that helps incarcerated people remain close to their loved ones. Flikshop takes any image sent from a cellphone and turns it into a postcard that the inmate will receive through regular mail. “We are called the Instagram of prison,” Bullock recently told San Quentin News. “We keep families connected.” “We want to ensure a person in every cell receives mail every day,” he said. … [Read more...] about Former inmate develops “prison instagram”
Repairing a guitar leads to repairing chairs community
At the public library in Benicia, children and parents value the craftsmanship of San Quentin inmates. SQ’s Furniture Shop recently volunteered its services for the restoration of more than 40 children’s chairs badly in need of repair. “The care and effort which was put into the chairs and the quality of the work was great,” Helaine Bowles, Library Administrative Assistant, recently told the Vallejo Times-Herald. Lacking funds to repair or replace the chairs, the Benicia Public Library heard about SQ’s Wood and Upholstery Shops and contacted … [Read more...] about Repairing a guitar leads to repairing chairs community
New employment policies to help hire formerly incarcerated
Music superstar John Legend is using his celebrity status to gather national support for Unlocked Futures, a new foundation aimed at helping formerly incarcerated persons develop into successful entrepreneurs. Legend is already committed to criminal justice reform through his FreeAmerica initiative. He joined forces with other philanthropists to coordinate a $500,000 grant from Bank of America. They used it to launch eight startup ideas from former prisoners and persons impacted by incarceration, according to a Nation Swell … [Read more...] about New employment policies to help hire formerly incarcerated