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
Criminal Justice
Changes coming to San Francisco County jail – free phone calls
Two dramatic changes are coming to the San Francisco CountyJail–free phone calls for prisoners and reduced markups for commissary items. “These fees are overwhelmingly paid for by the friends and families of the incarcerated, especially low income women. It was a clear equity issue,” said the mayor’s spokesperson, Jeff Cretan. Mayor London Breed’s office estimated the elimination of excessive charges paid by families of the incarcerated will cost the city about $1.7 million a year. The changes were initiated by Mayor Breed and … [Read more...] about Changes coming to San Francisco County jail – free phone calls
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
Governor Gavin Newsom reversed 46 parole grants
It’s still too early to tell if Governor Gavin Newsom marches to his own drum— or if his tenure coincides with Governor Brown’s agendas, reported Anita Chabria and Taryn Luna for the L.A. Times. Since taking office Gov. Newsom has stopped 46 paroles for murderers. This marks a steep increase from the actions of former Gov. Jerry Brown, who only reversed 28 parole grants for murderers in 2018. Newsom is on pace to match Gov. Brown’s peak of 133 rever- sals in 2014, report Chabria and Luna. This stands in stark contrast to Gov. Newsom’s … [Read more...] about Governor Gavin Newsom reversed 46 parole grants
Innocent man exonerated after spending 45 years in prison
A Michigan man became the longest-serving inmate to be cleared of a crime after serving 45 years for a murder he did not commit. The state awarded Richard Phillips $1.5 million for the wrongful conviction. Michigan law provides up to $50,000 per year for every year a wrongly convicted person spends in prison. He was not paid for the 45 years because 15 years also involved an armed robbery conviction, for which he also maintains his innocence. While waiting for the outcome of his lawsuit, Phillips sold artwork he created in prison to … [Read more...] about Innocent man exonerated after spending 45 years in prison
Oakland Police Chief delivers apology at SQ Barbershop Forum
Oakland Police Department’s Police Chief Jane Kirkpatrick with KTVU Fox 2’s Paul Chambers Oakland Police Chief Jane Kirkpatrick delivered an encouraging message of respect, hope and an apology for law enforcement misdeeds to more than 200 San Quentin prisoners looking forward to freedom. “We have a future and hope together,” Kirkpatrick said. “You will be given an opportunity for restoration and you will be welcomed home. “When you come home, you will be home and you will have a police department that, as long as I am their … [Read more...] about Oakland Police Chief delivers apology at SQ Barbershop Forum
Re:Store Justice starts 5-year restorative justice pilot program
A live internet joint press conference involving San Quentin State Prison and CDCR officials in Sacramento announced a five-year restorative justice pilot program aimed at the needs of victims, offenders and the community. The first-ever live news conference to include incarcerated individuals was held recently to announce the program which will be based in San Joaquin County. The incarcerated men, members of the Re:Store Justice organization, shared how they believe that restorative justice is a more wholesome approach to criminal … [Read more...] about Re:Store Justice starts 5-year restorative justice pilot program
Pennsylvania Governor grants clemency to eight prisoners
Seal of Pennsylvania 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 … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Governor grants clemency to eight prisoners
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