An advisor to California senators who draft laws concerning public safety and policy came to San Quentin last month to inform prisoners about the reality of how laws are made in California and how that process profoundly affects prison reform.
Steven Meinrath, counsel to the Senate Committee on Public Safety, wanted prisoners to understand that the perception of being soft on crime is a position politicians fear and heavily influences their votes and policy.
“You must see yourselves as a part of the solution by working on your life stories,” Meinrath said. “The people who decide how your lives are lived, don’t know who you are. They need to hear from you directly.” Meinrath stressed, “Inmates have families. They need to vote!”
He said that the lawmakers need to know what rehabilitative programs are beneficial to inmates and why. He suggested that prisoners write about Arts in Corrections, college programs and vocational programs, among others. Inmates may address their comments and responses to Steve Meinrath, Counsel, Senate Committee on Public Safety, Room 2031, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814 —Arnulfo Garcia and Juan Haines.