The value of stock of one of the major operators of private prisons recently dropped 16%. The stock decline happened after major institutions placed a moratorium on financing private detention facilities. A number of agencies have also sold-off private prison stock. In March, JP Morgan announced “We will no longer bank the private prison industry,” reported Newsweek. In a 2018 Business Standards Report, Wells Fargo Bank told industry analysts, “Our credit exposure to private prison companies has significantly decreased and is … [Read more...] about GEO Group sees drastic drop in stock value
Institutions
San Francisco adopts free phone calls for inmates
Inmates in San Francisco county jails will be allowed to make free telephone calls, which is expected to reduce these costs passed on to their family and friends. In June, the city’s mayor, London Breed, and sheriff, Vicki Hennessy, announced plans to cut costs of phone calls and commissary items sold to inmates, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. In a statement, Breed said “This change is an important continuation of our efforts to reform fines and fees that disproportionately impact low-income people and communities of color.” … [Read more...] about San Francisco adopts free phone calls for inmates
Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
PUP coordinator Heather Hart taking a walk outside SQ San Quentin’s Prison University Project (PUP) waved goodbye to Program Coordinator Heather Hart on July 3. But she leaves intent on continuing her fierce advocacy goals in a potentially broader scope— through philanthropic influence. “After four years here, I started to feel like there was more I needed to learn, more skills I needed to ac- quire in order to get to a place where I could make the most impact,” Hart told SQNews. “Exploring this world of philanthropy, I want to see for … [Read more...] about Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
Criminal canines given reprieve through rehabilitation at SQ
Dogs with their inmate trainers at SQ firehouse In the County of Marin, some animals that are stigmatized because they are pit bulls are given a second chance. Mack is one of those dogs. He was afforded the opportunity to be trained and prepared for adoption through the Pen Pals program—a 14-year alliance between San Quentin State Prison and the Marin Humane Society. The program connects dogs with behavioral problems and nonviolent prisoners who want to care for them, according to the Marin Independent Journal. Rashid Lockheart and … [Read more...] about Criminal canines given reprieve through rehabilitation at SQ
An interview with former Death Row prisoner Alfred Sandoval, from Pelican Bay’s Newsletter “The Pelican”
SQ_Lethal_Injection_Room K: Thank you for sitting down with me and for agreeing to do this interview. If I remember correctly, you said you’ve been in prison for about two-thirds of your life? That... is a long time. S: Trust me, it’s been very long. From the boy’s home to death row – I came into the system in ’79. K: Has it been hard? S: No. It’s life. It’s survival. Out there, in the streets, you have to deal with everything – bills, jobs, boss, kids. In prison it’s the same. Life. It doesn’t mean it’s easy or hard. It’s just … [Read more...] about An interview with former Death Row prisoner Alfred Sandoval, from Pelican Bay’s Newsletter “The Pelican”
Shedding reputation to step into a new role in society
KidCAT Speaks! Editor’s Note: This is the third in a three-part series on the cost of earning a reputation in prison. Richard Solano A person can earn a bad reputation in prison for any number of reasons: being a snitch, a drop-out (former gang member), a child rapist or a homosexual. Prisoners with those reputations are often ostracized, assaulted, extorted or even murdered. On some cases, it can lead to real-world consequences. From the age of 12 to 18, 41-year-old San Quentin in- mate Richard Solano attend- ed 22 funerals … [Read more...] about Shedding reputation to step into a new role in society
Personnel Spotlight: Former Counselor T. Dunckley
Counselor T. Dunckley Many correctional officers have long, interesting careers. Some remain nameless and their stories untold. Counselor T. Dunckley worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) more than two and a half decades. He worked in many capacities and retired in late 2016. Dunckley was a counselor for 23 years; 21 of those years were spent working in the prison reception center. In 1990, Dunckley started his career in the department as a parole agent. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in … [Read more...] about Personnel Spotlight: Former Counselor T. Dunckley
Wisconsin governor submits proposal to build more prisons
Wisconsin’s Governor Tony Evers, whose campaign pledged to cut his state’s prison population in half, has instead recommended a $259 million expenditure to build more prisons. According to Matt Kettle of MacIver News Service, the governor submitted a proposal to build seven major Department of Corrections (DOC) projects. This is a six-fold increase from his predecessor, Gov. Scott Walker, who recommended $41.68 million in DOC capital financing. “The spending is just mind-blowing,” said state Rep. Michael Schraa (ROshkosh), chairman of … [Read more...] about Wisconsin governor submits proposal to build more prisons
Texas DA to decide his stance on Death Penalty
Halfway through his first term, Mark Gonzalez, the District Attorney of Nueces County, Texas, is still trying to decide what his stance is on the death penalty, according to the Texas Observer. Gonzalez, called a “progressive prosecutor” by many, due to his progressive stance on many issues, said he’s conflicted about the death penalty and wants to let the people of Nueces County decide whether capital punishment should stand in the county. He expected to receive a “test case” with a jury, to help him decide what the policy should be. … [Read more...] about Texas DA to decide his stance on Death Penalty
Senate Bill 3435 Beyond the box for higher education
About two-thirds of post-secondary institutions ask applicants to submit criminal history, according to The Crime Report. The Center for Community Alternatives found that 25 percent of these schools bar applicants with criminal history from attending. This prevents individuals who have already paid their debt to society from finding success going forward. There are an estimated 70 million American citizens with criminal records, according to The Crime Report. Colleges and universities can help remove barriers to higher education for … [Read more...] about Senate Bill 3435 Beyond the box for higher education