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
Politics
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
Shifting the way we count incarcerated persons
A new law will give California prisoners political power by counting them as residents of their home communities rather than in the communities where they are incarcerated, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. The practice, which will be implemented after the 2020 census and subsequent redistricting process, is expected to shift political power from conservative rural areas toward more liberal cities. “It’s going to make a big difference, especially in the viability of our African-American state Senate seats,” said former state … [Read more...] about Shifting the way we count incarcerated persons
Noncitizens allowed to vote in local San Francisco elections
San Francisco became the largest city in the nation to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, according to the Los Angeles Times. Noncitizens were only allowed to vote Nov. 6 for a single school board race. That was widely criticized by conservatives. The Times reported that only a little more than 40 noncitizens had registered to vote by Oct. 28. The change carries symbolic force, according to Louis Desipio, a professor of political science at the University of California at Irvine. He said, “It will speak to that sort of … [Read more...] about Noncitizens allowed to vote in local San Francisco elections
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
California Correctional Peace Officers Association emerged during 2018 election
After almost a decade out of the spotlight, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) re-emerged when they bought two television commercials for two Democrats: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom for governor and Assemblymember Tony Thurmond for superintendent of public instruction. The commercials cost the union $1 million dollars, the Los Angeles Times reports. Though it has remained politically active, the CCPOA flew under the radar during the last decade, compared to a previous strategy involving bold statewide campaigns. … [Read more...] about California Correctional Peace Officers Association emerged during 2018 election
California teachers’ retirement fund to divest from private prisons
California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) is divesting its stock holdings in private prison companies CoreCivic and GEO Group, reported Randy Diamond the Chief Investment Officer (CIO). CalSTRS’s $230 billion of assets makes it the second-largest pension system in the US. This decision makes it the nation’s third major public pension fund to divest from for-profit private prison companies. CalSTRS’s investment committee voted for a divestment review in July, after the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” border … [Read more...] about California teachers’ retirement fund to divest from private prisons