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
Criminal Justice
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
Applying for a Governor’s pardon in California
Two distinct processes available to California prisoners From theGovernor's Office: People who have been convicted of a crime in California may apply for a gubernatorial (Governor’s) pardon. The Governor of California cannot grant a pardon for a conviction from another state or a federal proceeding. There are two ways to ap- ply for a pardon in California: a Certificate of Rehabilitation and a Direct Pardon. Pardon Application by Certificate of Rehabilitation: One way to apply for a pardon is to first petition for and obtain a … [Read more...] about Applying for a Governor’s pardon in California
Two California Supreme Court justices against capital punishment
Two California Supreme Court justices have joined the debate against capital punishment. “California’s death penalty is an expensive and dysfunctional system that does not deliver justice or closure in a timely manner, if at all,” Justice Goodwin Liu wrote in a published opinion. The opinion upheld the death sentence of Thomas Potts, convicted of two murders in 1998. Liu’s opinion was cosigned by Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, the San Francisco Chronicle reported March 28. Liu noted the California execution moratorium imposed … [Read more...] about Two California Supreme Court justices against capital punishment
Oklahoma initiates new parole reforms
Oklahoma recently began a new way to parole inmates in its prison system. In 2018, the Legislature approved House Bill 2286 among a host of criminal justice reform measures, reported the Oklahoma Watch. They established it as what they called administrative parole, rather than the traditional way of paroling, according to the article. “If you meet the five statutory requirements, we skip that part,” said Justin Wolfe, general counsel for the Pardon and Parole Board. Wolfe is referring to the process where inmates have had to appear … [Read more...] about Oklahoma initiates new parole reforms
AB32 would prohibit contracts with private prisons
California would phase out the use of private prisons under pending legislation. AB32 would prohibit new contracts with private prisons and phase out existing contracts over four years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The measure was introduced by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda. Bonta said he introduced the bill because corporations that run private prisons put making money for their shareholders above rehabilitating inmates, according to the March 31 Chronicle article. “It’s just the wrong approach to a government … [Read more...] about AB32 would prohibit contracts with private prisons