By The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights Most states have downsized their prison populations in recent years, but the pace of decarceration is insufficient to undo nearly four decades of unrelenting growth. The recent pace of decline would take 72 years to cut the US prison population by 50%, according to a new analysis by The Sentencing Project’s Senior Research Analyst Nazgol Ghandnoosh. US Prison Population Trends: Massive Buildup and Modest Decline finds that 39 states and the federal government had downsized their prisons as … [Read more...] about Recent decline in most US state prisons still insufficient
Prison Reform
Governor Gavin Newsom signs new justice bills into law
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 25 bills on Oct. 8 aimed at setting a path to reform California’s criminal justice system, he reported in a news release. The bills include support for those reentering the community after serving their sentences, including creating a system to automatically expunge records of individuals previously convicted of low-level offenses, as well as reform unfair sentencing practices, and enhance support for victims of crime. “I am signing more than two dozen bills that give hope to those that have earned a second … [Read more...] about Governor Gavin Newsom signs new justice bills into law
Ad agency ConCreates embraces incarcerated employees
ConCreates is an advertising agency started by a former prison inmate and staffed by 436 incarcerated men and women—plus 319 ex-cons successfully working on the outside, reports fastcompany.com “Our mission is to challenge the stigma of how society views people with criminal history, as well as how people with criminal history view themselves,” said Vincent Bragg, a cofounder of the firm. “If we’re able to show them they’re not just a bank robber, or not just a drug dealer, that they have creative potential, then we can show them an … [Read more...] about Ad agency ConCreates embraces incarcerated employees
Jurists look to San Quentin
Alameda Public Defenders seek input during forum Prisoners seeking to understand the role of public defenders invited Alameda County Public Defender Brandon Woods to San Quentin to talk about his vision for public defense. He said he is working to make significant changes to improve defense outcomes. The purpose of the Sept. 6 forum was to “promote public safety by building a bridge between public defenders and the incarcerated in order to develop strategies that address the social, environmental and economic conditions that foster … [Read more...] about Jurists look to San Quentin
Oklahoma initiates new parole reforms
Oklahoma recently began a new way to parole inmates in its prison system. In 2018, the Legislature approved House Bill 2286 among a host of criminal justice reform measures, reported the Oklahoma Watch. They established it as what they called administrative parole, rather than the traditional way of paroling, according to the article. “If you meet the five statutory requirements, we skip that part,” said Justin Wolfe, general counsel for the Pardon and Parole Board. Wolfe is referring to the process where inmates have had to appear … [Read more...] about Oklahoma initiates new parole 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
Popularity for capital punishment is on the decline in the US
The popularity for and sentencing for the death penalty is declining in America, a research paper reports. “The recent history of capital punishment in the U.S. has been marked by declining popularity and usage ... Within the past 15 years, eight states have abandoned the death penalty through legislative repeal or judicial invalidation,” according to theconversation.com website. “Capital punishment has been and continues to be controversial. ... More than 2,700 men and women are under death sentence,” the website … [Read more...] about Popularity for capital punishment is on the decline in the US
A civil liberties debate over NY prison’s biometric voice system
There are differing opinions of whether the new biometric voice recognition system put in place at New York Department of Corrections is a violation of prisoners’ rights and civil liberties, according to Popular Mechanics. “Once the data exists, and it becomes an accepted part of what’s happening, it’s very hard to protect or limit its use in the future,” said Jerome Greco, a digital forensics attorney at New York’s Legal Aid Society. “If you have a family member convicted of a crime, yet you haven’t been, why are you now having your … [Read more...] about A civil liberties debate over NY prison’s biometric voice system
J.P. Morgan Chase eliminates financing of private prisons
Private prisons leveraged their future by borrowing from banks against future arrests. The immigration-rights movement completed a major goal on March 5, when J.P. Morgan Chase became the first major bank to eliminate the financing of private prisons from their portfolios. Ana Maria Archila, co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy and Javier H. Valdez, Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, wrote of this historic event while reporting for The Nation. The article in The Nation says that 70 percent of … [Read more...] about J.P. Morgan Chase eliminates financing of private prisons
Some law enforcement and victim advocates oppose Proposition 57
Some police and victim advocates claim a recent court ruling could lead to the early release of many violent and sex offenders, reports the Times Herald. The case involves Gregory Gadlin, serving 35 years to life for assault with a deadly weapon. He was also convicted previously of forcible rape in 1984 and forcible child molestation in 1986. The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled in January that Gadlin should be considered for early release under terms of Proposition 57, the voter- approved initiative aimed at reducing prison … [Read more...] about Some law enforcement and victim advocates oppose Proposition 57