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
Prison-Media
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
Kim Kardashian helps formerly incarcerated obtain jobs
Kim Kardashian is working to help formerly incarcerated people obtain jobs as part of her involvement with criminal justice reform. Kardashian appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote her makeup line but ended up discussing criminal justice reform, according to instyle.com on Feb. 8. “I think there’s such a stigma on people hiring formerly incarcerated people,” she said. “There’s so many people that are incarcerated for life. For murder, that maybe they were just next to someone, and there was a group of people, and … [Read more...] about Kim Kardashian helps formerly incarcerated obtain jobs
San Quentin News hosts fundraiser gala for community supporters
The award-winning San Quentin News has become one of the few prison projects ever to hold its own fundraising gala in California. The Nov. 23 inaugural event, hailed as “historic,” took place at Marin Shakespeare Company’s headquarters in San Rafael and was attended by 43 supporters, who donated more than $2,000 for the newspaper. The dinner, which was well attended despite the rain, attracted formerly incarcerated persons, current volunteers and community members interested in social justice. Although the paper’s … [Read more...] about San Quentin News hosts fundraiser gala for community supporters