Some states are still seek- ing input from the wrong people on parole decisions a Prison Policy Initiative report maintains. The report says the wrong people are prosecutors and crime victims. In California, prosecutors and victims must be notified when a person is being considered for parole. Yet the only information they can provide to parole commissioners is about the crime itself and who that person was, not the individual’s rehabilitative efforts. Victims and prosecutors should have a right to be heard but the information they … [Read more...] about Some states seeking input on wrong parole decisions
Legal
Prisoners contributed their input on criminal justice reform
Participants sitting in a small circle share their personal experiences in the San Quentin Protestant Chapel Criminal justice reform took center stage at a San Quentin State Prison forum that brought together inmates, social justice advocates, formerly incarcerated citizens and public officials. “Reform has to change, as we all together are changing,” said Assemblymember Timothy Grayson, D-14th District, Concord. “We all still are rehabilitating. When I leave here, I’m going to tell people I just came from a place called ‘Project … [Read more...] about Prisoners contributed their input on criminal justice reform
Thu Hồi Án Phạt
Dựa theo luật California Penal Code 1170(d) mới được ban hành, hầu như tất cả tù nhân ở California đều có thể hội đủ điều kiện được tòa xét lại án và giảm án. Phương thức luật mới này cũng đã được ghi rỏ trong sách quy luật dành cho tù nhân, sách California Code of Regulations (CDCR), Title 15, section 3076, Recall of Commitment Recommendation Circumstances. Quy luật án phạt mục 1170(d)(1) của California cho phép Bộ Tổng Trưởng của Bộ Học Tập và Cải Huấn (CDCR), hoặc người đại diện của bộ được đề nghị với tòa thu hồi án phạt … [Read more...] about Thu Hồi Án Phạt
San Quentin settles lawsuit with psychiatrist over mental health care
A settlement of $822,000 for the plaintiff, Dr. Christopher Wadsworth A lawsuit alleging retaliation against a San Quentin psychiatrist who warned of inadequate mental health care in the prison has led to a settlement of $822,000 for the plaintiff, Dr. Christopher Wadsworth, reports the Sacramento Bee. The fast-track career of Dr. Wadsworth, the former Chief Psychiatrist at SQ, was damaged after he informed state officials that reducing beds for the acutely mentally ill would consist of actions that, according to an email … [Read more...] about San Quentin settles lawsuit with psychiatrist over mental health care
Prominent attorney notes First Step Act is insufficient
Opponents of President Trump’s new criminal justice reform say that the new law doesn’t do enough and will set a bad precedent. “Donald Trump claims he’s taking a step toward desperately needed criminal justice reform but he’s not,” wrote Keith Wattley in an Op-ed in The New York Times. Wattley is a prominent criminal justice advocate and attorney in California. At issue is the bi-partisan supported legislation known as the First Step Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 21. “The First Step Act has … [Read more...] about Prominent attorney notes First Step Act is insufficient
Recall of sentence may allow time reduction for prisoners
Nearly all California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) prisoners may be eligible to have a court reconsider and reduce their sentence, according to new rules. The prisoners’ rulebook outlines the procedure in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 15, section number 3076, Recall of Commitment Recommendation Circumstances. California Penal Code Section 1170(d)(1) allows the Agency Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) or its designee to recommend, at any … [Read more...] about Recall of sentence may allow time reduction for prisoners
Propuesta de Trump busca marcar a los inmigrantes como carga pública
La nueva propuesta de la administración de Trump para renovar el Sistema de Inmigración en América “con base al mérito” (merit-based), pone en peligro el sueño Americano de los inmigrantes. La determinación del Presidente Trump para renovar el sistema migratorio de América parece no tener límite. La reforma migratoria bajo la administración de Trump inicia con una propuesta para volver a definir qué beneficios públicos podrían utilizar los inmigrantes sin ser etiquetados una “carga pública”. Posteriormente, el retiro del estatus legal … [Read more...] about Propuesta de Trump busca marcar a los inmigrantes como carga pública
Louisiana strikes down one of the last remaining Jim Crow laws
Louisiana’s justice system is moving into the 21st century after voters struck down one of the last remaining Jim Crow laws allowing juries to convict people with split verdicts, according to NOLA. com/The Times-Picayune. Louisiana was the only state in the nation where a verdict of 11-1 or 10-2 from a 12-person jury could result in a person receiving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence. The new law now requires juries to have an unanimous decision for a conviction, which ended this 138 year Jim Crow … [Read more...] about Louisiana strikes down one of the last remaining Jim Crow laws
Judges balk at President’s immigration policy changes
Some judges are balking at immigration policy changes ordered by the Trump administration. The new policies include having immigration judges speed up their cases to meet quotas or face being fired The New York Times reported Sept. 7. The objections involve a series of changes that the judges’ bosses in the Justice Department say are aimed at chipping away at a backlog of 732,730 cases, the newspaper reported. There has been emphasis on efficiency and speeding up the process, said New York Immigration Judge Amiena … [Read more...] about Judges balk at President’s immigration policy changes
Marsy’s Law measure to expand victims’ rights
A ballot measure meant to expand the rights of victims of crime passed in six more states in November, according to an article by Forbes. Known as “Marsy’s Law,” the measure gives victims certain rights, including notice of criminal proceedings related to the crime and presence at those proceedings. “It is gratifying to know that innocent victims of crime in these six states will not have to suffer the injustices that my family endured upon my sister’s murder,” said Henry Nicholas, who spent $71.8 million in support of the … [Read more...] about Marsy’s Law measure to expand victims’ rights