Criminal Justice

Appeals Court Ruling Says Jury Must Decide Strikes

June 4, 2012 by Richard Richardson

A recent court ruling gives renewed hope to prisoners sentenced under the nation’s harshest Three Strikes law. The May 3 ruling overturned James … [Read more...]

Conversion of Chowchilla on Hold

May 4, 2012 by Richard Lindsey

Facing a court challenge and community opposition, California prison officials say they will temporarily shelve plans to convert a women’s prison to a … [Read more...]

Right to Assistance in Plea Deals

May 4, 2012 by Stephen Liebb

The U.S. Supreme Court says criminal defendants have a right to effective legal assistance during plea negotiations, and a lawyer must inform the … [Read more...]

California’s Prisoner Segregation Scrutinized

April 4, 2012 by John C. Eagan

Big changes are on the horizon for California’s solitary confinement policies. In the wake of hunger strikes, public protests and a complaint to the … [Read more...]

SF Seeks to Build New County Jail

April 4, 2012 by N. T. NOBLE BUTLER

San Francisco officials have taken the first steps to modernize its jail system. The plan was prompted by the aging condition of the Bryant Street … [Read more...]

Native American Sues for Ceremonial Tobacco Right

April 3, 2012 by San Quentin News Staff

A San Quentin prisoner is suing the California prison system for denying Native Americans the right to use tobacco during religious ceremonies. Daniel … [Read more...]

Occupy Protestors Rally for Reform

March 2, 2012 by Clarence R. Bailey

The Occupy movement has expanded to include San Quentin Prison. On the President’s Day holiday, several hundred protestors arrived for an … [Read more...]

United States Has World’s Highest Rate of Incarceration

March 2, 2012 by PAUL STAUFFER

The United States has the world’s highest rate of incarceration or “correctional control,” and one of the causes is changes in sentencing … [Read more...]

New Report Highlights Hidden Prison Expenses

March 2, 2012 by San Quentin News Staff

A new report shows that most states under-report the cost of prisons. “Prison costs outside the corrections budget fall under three categories: (1) … [Read more...]

U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Race Case

March 2, 2012 by Stephen Liebb

The subject of race and admissions policy for state universities is once again before the U.S. Supreme Court. Abigail Fisher, a Texas resident, is … [Read more...]