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 clemency went to George Trudel … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Governor grants clemency to eight prisoners
Politics
California’s dark secret: prisoners sentenced under prior guidelines have little hope of ever being released
Some men serving life sentences in California say they’re “political prisoners.” While there’s technically no legal definition for the term, some facts and evidence suggest they may be right. At San Quentin State Prison, there are men who have served 40-plus years, continuously. These men are survivors of carceral Darwinism, having lived through changes in state politics, parole laws, parole boards, restructured prisoner classifications, a prosperous prison guards’ union, crime victims’ influence on laws, changes to the death penalty, and … [Read more...] about California’s dark secret: prisoners sentenced under prior guidelines have little hope of ever being released
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs checks out San Quentin Enneagram program
Enneagram class on lower yard with Micheal Tubbs & wife Anna Tubbs Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and his wife, Anna, came to San Quentin to join a class aimed at helping prisoners gain self-respect and overcome childhood trauma. Anna Tubbs said they came to the prison because they’re “both social justice concerned. It’s important to meet people directly impacted by policy choices—to be seen personally—to understand the needs of the people.” Michael Tubbs & wife Anna with Enneagram class & Sponsors The incarcerated men par- take in … [Read more...] about Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs checks out San Quentin Enneagram program
Governor Gavin Newsom appoints new players in three key CDCR positions
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in late March three key appointments for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). All three appointments require Senate confirmation. His appointments include a Republican, a Democrat and a person without political affiliation. Secretary of CDCR Ralph Diaz Ralph Diaz has been appointed Secretary of the CDCR. He began his corrections career as a CO at Wasco State Prison in 1991. He worked multiple jobs as counselor supervisor, captain, chief deputy administrator and warden of the … [Read more...] about Governor Gavin Newsom appoints new players in three key CDCR positions
Judges overwhelmed with immigration case backlogs makes it difficult for them to work
The Trump administration’s controversial strategy to reduce the growing back- log of immigration cases has failed, according to a university study. The average wait for an immigration hearing is now more than two years, The San Diego Union Tribune reported. The plan to reduce the backlog of immigration cases by forcing judges to take more cases was implemented in October 2017. Since then, the number of pending cases has grown from 655,932 to 830,000, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Access Records Clearinghouse, which tracks … [Read more...] about Judges overwhelmed with immigration case backlogs makes it difficult for them to work
America struggles with racial identity 50 years after Malcolm X
Malcolm X adressing the crowd When an icon dies in a hail of bullets for his ideas, beliefs and works, the community forever mourns the loss of potential progress. More than 50 years after the death of Malcolm X [El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz] America is still struggling with the rise of White nationalism, Black on Black crime and police brutality. In the 1960s, Malcolm X represented the hope of Black manhood. His intelligence and uncompromising speeches made him a people’s champion, plus he was formerly incarcerated. “White folks do not … [Read more...] about America struggles with racial identity 50 years after Malcolm X
Guards union seeks better relationship with Gov. Newsom
California’s Governor Gavin Newson California’s prison guards union is taking steps to foster good relations with new Gov. Gavin Newsom. The union withdrew a $2 million contribution to a ballot initiative opposed by Newsom, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Feb 17. The $2 million check was in support of the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2020. It was made by then-President Chuck Alexander of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) just before his term ended on Dec. 31. It was pulled back … [Read more...] about Guards union seeks better relationship with Gov. Newsom
Californians divided over results from criminal justice reforms
A debate is growing on the impact of criminal justice reforms in California. Widely differing views are surfacing on reforms approved by California voters in recent years. That includes Proposition 47 in 2014, that reduced some crimes from felonies to misdemeanors; Proposition 57, which passed in 2016 and allowed prison officials to decide which nonviolent felonies could be reduced to misdemeanors (under Proposition 47), and a 2018 measure allowed many defendants to be released without bail pending trial. Opponents of reform argue that … [Read more...] about Californians divided over results from criminal justice reforms
California legislators consider voting rights for parolees
Right To Vote This year, California legislators will decide whether a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to people on parole can be on the ballot for the 2020 elections. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, Assembly Constitutional Amendment 6 (ACA 6), also known as the Free the Vote Act, was introduced by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty. ACA 6 will pave the way for a 2020 ballot measure that would restore the voting rights of about 50,000 parolees. Under Article II, section 4 of California’s Constitution “The … [Read more...] about California legislators consider voting rights for parolees
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