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
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More credits offered under Prop 57
“As of May 1, 2019 (under new emergency regulations), people can earn 10 days of (Rehabilitative Achievement) credit for every 52 hours of participation(in eligible self- help and volunteer public service activities), up to a maximum of 40 days credit per year.” The programming credits under Proposition 57 have been enhanced once again, and many inmates are happy to see these changes. Inmate David Hill said, “I think it’s a good thing; it’s go- ing to make me more inclined to stay in my groups now that the credit hours roll over into … [Read more...] about More credits offered under Prop 57
Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
Toys collected for the Veterans’ Toy Drive in the SQ visiting room It was toys and smiles all around as dozens of children came to visit their dads in San Quentin State Prison at Christmas-time. “It’s all about the kids,” said Tony Burch, vice chair of the veterans group that sponsored the Toys for Tots event in its thirtieth year. “I just love to see the expressions on the faces of the kids,” said Army veteran Garvin Robinson, long-time secretary and treasurer of the Veterans Group at San Quentin. Robinson admitted that sometimes … [Read more...] about Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
CDCR issues new regulations for non-violent three-strikes offenders
California set a nationwide trend in sentencing reform when, in 2012, voters passed an initiative that reduced the sentences for non-violent three strikers. The result: thousands of prisoners serving life sentences got out of prison. Other initiatives in 2014 and 2016 chipped away at the Three Strikes Laws. Thousands more prisoners earned release. The latest development comes from an appeals court case, re Edwards. Edwards holds that California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) regulations preventing nonviolent … [Read more...] about CDCR issues new regulations for non-violent three-strikes offenders
Mental health bomb-shell report on care inside state prisons
The chief psychiatrist of California’s prison system is accusing state officials of misleading both a federal court and lawyers for prison inmates fighting to improve mental health care inside state prisons, according to court documents. Dr. Michael Golding sent the 160-page report to the court-appointed federal receiver overseeing reforms inside California prisons. Golding filed the report without his superior’s knowledge. Dr. Golding’s “lengthy, detailed report” contains “serious allegations” that data reported to the federal court … [Read more...] about Mental health bomb-shell report on care inside state prisons
Inmates win ethics bowl against college students
The California Correctional Institution (CCI) Mental Health Department sponsored an unusual event once again on Aug. 3. Last year, this group won an ethics bowl against California State University, Bakersfield. This year they focused their talent and energy on prison reform. Rarely are prisoners asked their opinions on what might work in their rehabilitation process, but CCI asked, and the inmates responded by creating a research-based presentation to answer this question. In attendance were Warden Joe Sullivan, Health Care CEO Rhonda … [Read more...] about Inmates win ethics bowl against college students
Inmate wins $1,000 scholarship toward BA degree
One of the California Health Care Facility’s inmate trainers for the CHCF puppy program was awarded the Chung-Ahm Scholarship for the 2018 academic year. It is unusual for an inmate to win a cash scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will be applied toward inmate Johnson’s tuition. Since being incarcerated, Johnson has received an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in liberal arts and humanities and will claim another AA degree in social and behavior sciences this semester. The scholarship will help pay for tuition for the 2018 fall semester when … [Read more...] about Inmate wins $1,000 scholarship toward BA degree
Largest private prison population
The United States has the world’s largest private prison population, according to a study by The Sentencing Project. The study compares America’s growing private prison industry to government-run prisons and found that increased profiting from incarceration is tied to prison building, inmate population growth, and lower wages for guards, which resulted in decreased institutional safety. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), In August 2000, 4,535 inmates were listed as housed at a private Community … [Read more...] about Largest private prison population
San Quentin’s big transition as non-designated facility
San Quentin State Prison’s transition from a General Population (GP) facility to a non-designated programming facility has uncovered old prejudices and uncommon collaborations. The inmate response to the new housing designation is as diverse as the prison population. Most inmates have been indifferent to the inflow of newcomers, while others have been cautious and alert. Some prisoners transferred out of San Quentin because they did not want to deal with the unknown. Few inmates, and administrators, could predict what was going to … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s big transition as non-designated facility
Prison death a mystery after year-long investigation
One year and a transparent investigation later, the death of inmate James Leonard Acuna remains undetermined. Acuna’s decomposing body had been found in a cell he shared with another inmate at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, at least two days after he passed, reported Patch. “The fact [Acuna] made bad choices and was paying his debt to society doesn’t mean he should have been neglected,” said Sara Leslie, a volunteer for California Prison Focus, an inmates’ rights nonprofit. “We as a society should care because we are a civilized … [Read more...] about Prison death a mystery after year-long investigation