Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has granted clemency to eight prisoners serving life terms—more than any governor in the past 25 years, the Philadelphia Enquirer reports. Granting commutations started to diminish when Gov. Richard Thornburgh took office in 1979. It all but ceased in 1994, after lifer Reginald McFadden was released and went on a killing spree, the newspaper reported. Today commutations have to be recommended unanimously by the state Board of Pardons before the governor can consider them. One clemency went to George Trudel … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Governor grants clemency to eight prisoners
Criminal Justice
New York considers elderly parole law inmates 55 and over may see relief
There is new legislation being introduced in Albany, NY, that would allow inmates that are 55 years of age to be eligible for parole after serving 15 consecutive years, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. This measure was introduced to the Senate by Brad Hoylman, a Democrat representing Manhattan. The measure however doesn’t mandate the release of the prisoner. Judith Clark is a 69-year- old who served more than 37 years for her role in a 1981 Rockland County armored truck robbery. During the commission of the robbery two … [Read more...] about New York considers elderly parole law inmates 55 and over may see relief
California legislature advances bill to compensate victims of involuntary sterilization
Women Advocates of CCWP and CLRS supporting Bill Pending legislature aims to compensate victims of an old California policy that once resulted in forced or involuntary sterilization on individuals deemed unfit to reproduce. Under California’s eugenic sterilization program, state institutions from 1909 to 1979 legally sterilized certain disabled or mentally ill persons—without valid consent. Eugenics was the scientific practice of selectively weed- ing out inferior genetic specimens. “The sterilizations at the women’s prisons … [Read more...] about California legislature advances bill to compensate victims of involuntary sterilization
Arizona rethinks its ban on prison literature
The state of Arizona lifted its ban on the book Chokehold after gaining national attention for banning the book written about the US criminal justice system policing Black men. “An uproar over the ban of Chokehold: Policing Black Men, including threats of a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, prompted Arizona prison officials to review a publication blacklist and reverse suspending the book,” National Public Radio (NPR) reported. A growing number of state prison systems, including California, bans prisoners from possessing … [Read more...] about Arizona rethinks its ban on prison literature
San Francisco’s DA has challenged the status quo again
San Francisco DA George Gascón San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, a lead- er in restorative justice and social reform, has challenged the status quo again. At the 14th annual Harry Frank Guggenheim Symposium at John Jay College in New York, the ex-police chief turned prosecutor, described the incarceration of people in both our county jails and state prisons as an entry into the “universities of crime.” “We are more violent, collectively, than the people we’re afraid of,” said Gascon. “We get angry at people and throw … [Read more...] about San Francisco’s DA has challenged the status quo again
Nevada introducing bill for the formerly incarcerated to vote
Nevada Democratic Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson is introducing a new bill that would restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated men and women. According to The Nevada Independent, the 90,000 Nevadans who were not able to vote in the 2016 election because of their prior convictions may now have the right to vote in the upcoming election in 2020. “I believe when we have folks involved in the criminal justice system and expect them to reintegrate into society, there is, especially in this day and time, no better way to motivate … [Read more...] about Nevada introducing bill for the formerly incarcerated to vote
Convicts and San Francisco Cops San Quentin News hosts forum for public safety
Jason Samuel with Commander David Lazar, Asst. Chief Toney Chaplin, Marisa Rodriguez and Steve McNamara Chiefs and Commanding Officers from the San Francisco Police Department converged on San Quentin State Prison to confront preconceived biases by mingling with prisoners for a candid discussion. Former SF Deputy District Attorney Marisa Rodriguez helped spearhead the unprecedented March 24 event. Recently appointed director for the city’s new Office of Cannabis, Rodriguez also brought her own staff to join in the conversation. … [Read more...] about Convicts and San Francisco Cops San Quentin News hosts forum for public safety
Public Defender Brendon Woods visits SQ
Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods Brendon Woods, Alameda County’s Chief Public Defender, knows that prisoners take a dim view of lawyers from the PD’s office. And he wants to change that. Woods, 48, and a native New Yorker, is the only Black chief public defender among the 58 California counties. He visited San Quentin and met with inmates and discussed how to make California communities safer—that was also a first time event. “I’m annoyed at myself for taking so long to get here,” said Woods. “There’s a lot for us public … [Read more...] about Public Defender Brendon Woods visits SQ
San Francisco DA office to dismiss pot convictions dated back to 1975
San Francisco DA George Gascón The San Francisco District Attorney’s office said it will dismiss more than 9,000 marijuana-related convictions dating back to 1975, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. DA George Gascón announced this step following the legalization of marijuana in California two years ago. “It’s incumbent that we, as law enforcement leaders, continue to evolve how we advance fairness and public safety in our respective communities,” Gascón said. San Francisco is the first jurisdiction in the country to take … [Read more...] about San Francisco DA office to dismiss pot convictions dated back to 1975
People who have been convicted of a crime may apply for a commutation
People who have been convicted of a crime and are currently serving their sentence in California may apply for a commutation (reduction of sentence). In deciding whether to grant a commutation, the Governor’s Office will carefully review each commutation application and consider: • the impact of a commutation on the community, including whether the grant is consistent with public safety and in the interests of justice; • the age and circumstances of the offense and the sentence imposed, and the age of the applicant at the time; … [Read more...] about People who have been convicted of a crime may apply for a commutation