California crime victims would have another seven years to apply for state victims funds under legislation introduced in the State Senate. The current deadline is three years. Approximately 100 crime survivors fail to apply in time for about $84,000 each year, Witness LA reported July 21. The measure is SB375 by Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles.) The California Victim Compensation Board “covers expenses that arise in the wake of a crime, including medical treatment, mental health counseling, burial expenses, and in- come … [Read more...] about Seven more years to apply for state victims funds
Valley State Prison honors program participants
Its annual Motivational Tour highlighted the group's progress By Joseph Hader, Contributing Writer For the past three years, the Youth Offender Program has held its annual Motivational Tour at Valley State Prison, celebrating its progress and honoring its participants and supporters. This year’s event was a bit different, however, more inclusive, more outside-the- box. The annual event had more entertainment and musical performances than ever before, including a first- time prison performance by the Grammy award-winning R&B … [Read more...] about Valley State Prison honors program participants
Pelican Bay inmates break down barriers of stigmatization
The PEACE Group By Little John Perry Over the years, Pelican Bay has been considered the worst prison in California. Since its establishment in 1989, the ‘Bay’ has been infamous for housing the most hardened criminals the state holds– hence the even more infamous Security Housing Unit (SHU). There are countless tales of violence on both small and large scales. However, having grown weary of the endless cycles of bloodshed and indefinite terms of confinement—not to mention the way society viewed mediation between races, them— a group of … [Read more...] about Pelican Bay inmates break down barriers of stigmatization
Ban Truyền Giáo Mang Thông Điệp Của Hy Vọng Đến Với Tù Nhân Ở San Quentin
Bạn sẽ chạy trốn ở đâu và sẽ dẫn ai theo cùng nếu ngày mai khi thức dậy thế giới này đã đến ngày diệt vong? Nếu hỏi Mục Sư Tom Phạm và ban truyền giáo của ông những câu hỏi này thì họ sẽ trả lời đích thật rằng – chạy đến Chúa để trốn và dẫn theo càng nhiều người càng tốt. Cũng bởi tâm hồn này mà nhiều năm qua Mục Sư Tom, Mục Sư Lộc, và Chị Kim đã đến với San Quentin. Họ phải du hành trên một chặn đường dài; với Mục Sư Lộc, ông phải mất cả tiếng đồng hồ lái xe. Tất cả họ đều làm chủ một cơ sở thương mại riêng và ai cũng có nhiều công việc … [Read more...] about Ban Truyền Giáo Mang Thông Điệp Của Hy Vọng Đến Với Tù Nhân Ở San Quentin
Ministry volunteers bring message of hope to San Quentin inmates
Where would you run for cover and whom would you take with you if you woke up tomorrow and the world had come to an end? Ask Pastor Tom Pham and his minis- try team these questions and they’ll tell you exactly what they would do – that is, running to God for cover and taking with them as many lives as possible. It is this spirit that brought Pastor Tom, Pastor Loc, and Sister Kim to San Quentin many years ago. They have traveled a long distance; for Pastor Loc, it is an hour-long drive. Each owns a small business and has so many errands to … [Read more...] about Ministry volunteers bring message of hope to San Quentin inmates
Governor’s moratorium on death penalty has not stop capital sentences
By Alfred King Journalism Guild Writer The governor’s moratorium on executions has not stopped some California district attorneys from seeking the death penalty in new cases they prosecute. District attorneys “across the state have continued to pursue capital charges against defendants,” the Sacramento Bee reported July 17. Lawyers working on behalf of Cleamon Johnson asked the state Supreme Court on July 1 to halt such prosecutions, the newspaper said. Johnson is a Los Angeles manaccusedofkillingfive people. “In light of … [Read more...] about Governor’s moratorium on death penalty has not stop capital sentences
Empleo en la prisión: Una jornada laboral que se paga en centavos
Los prisioneros en el estado de California trabajan un promedio de ocho horas por día, pero ganan centavos en vez de dólares. José Ledesma de 69 años de edad y quien cumple una sentencia de 15 años, dice que su trabajo en la cocina de la prisión de San Quentin no le ayuda mucho porque debido a su horario le es difícil participar en programas de rehabilitación, además que solo gana 11 centavos por hora. “El sueldo es pésimo porque no me alcanza para nada”, dijo Ledesma. Como parte de su condena, Ledesma debe pagar el 55 por ciento de su … [Read more...] about Empleo en la prisión: Una jornada laboral que se paga en centavos
Female incarceration in the U. S. is causing an impact on society
By Elton Kelley Journalism Guild Writer America is leading the world in incarcerating women, and this is disrupting many families across the country, the American Civil Liberties Union reports The United States has nearly four percent of the world’s female population. But about a third of the female prisoners in the world are in the U.S., ACLU statistics show. “When you think about the image you have of our mass incarceration crisis, it probably is not a mother who comes to mind,” the ACLU said in its May 12 web … [Read more...] about Female incarceration in the U. S. is causing an impact on society
Court rules on legality of pot possession in prison settings
Felony violations out but rules violations remain —By, Alfred King, Journalism Guild Writer Possessing small amounts of marijuana in a California prison is no longer a felony, a state appeals court has ruled. The court ruling was based on Proposition 64, which legalized recreational use of marijuana in California. “Possession of less than one ounce of cannabis in prison or a similar penal institution is not a felony,” ruled the 3rd District Court of Appeals in Sacramento. Prisons spokeswoman Vicky Waters released the following … [Read more...] about Court rules on legality of pot possession in prison settings
Suit alleges indifference over known health risk for prisoners
By, Alfred King, Journalism Guild Writer A group of California inmates who contracted valley fever are appealing their damage lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court. The suit names 14 former and present state officials who “just didn’t take it seriously,” said Benjamin Pavone, lead attorney for the 117 currently and formerly incarcerated people who contracted the disease. Most cases are mild but “over a 10-year period, dozens of inmates throughout California died,” Pavone told Valley Public Radio. The appeal challenges a negative … [Read more...] about Suit alleges indifference over known health risk for prisoners