Just days after the deadline, the Governor signed the $92 billion 2012 – 13 California budget into law on June 27th. The budget includes some of the most significant reforms in state juvenile justice policy since the passage of Senate Bill 81 in 2007. In his May 14th revised budget proposal, Governor Brown had retracted his plan to close the state’s youth correctional facilities, Division of Juvenile Facilities (DJF), under intense and well-coordinated law enforcement and county pressure. …
Blog Jul 3, 2012
Slavery’s legacy alive and well in Louisiana
Douglas Blackmon’s best-selling book Slavery by Another Name dispels one myth after another as he reveals the continuing of a system of slavery under a different name: convict leasing. This was a system whereby former black slaves were routinely rounded up on minor charges (or no charges at all) like vagrancy, placed in local county or town jails, brought to court and fined a small amount ($25 or $50). Since they could not pay the money (as they were too poor and were traveling from town to…
Blog Jun 29, 2012
No cookie cutter approach for justice-involved youth
The Sierra Health Foundation (SHF) in partnership with The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) and The California Endowment (TCE) has launched the first of its kind statewide Positive Youth Justice Initiative (PYJI). SHF is offering various invited counties throughout California the opportunity to collaboratively improve upon or develop wraparound services for cross-over youth, utilizing strengths-based approaches with an emphasis on trauma-informed care. SHF will provide awarded counties…
Blog Jun 28, 2012
The new BSCC: Real opportunity for reform?
In this era of Realignment, California has an opportunity to redefine the state’s role in community corrections by highlighting the need for oversight and accountability. Last week, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released a list of recommendations from the Executive Steering Committee for the new Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). The Implementation Recommendations document outlines five goals that the BSCC should prioritize immediate when…
Blog Jun 26, 2012
Life after Murder by Nancy Mullane
Life after Murder follows five individuals serving life with the possibility of parole in California’s San Quentin prison and upon their eventual release back into the Bay Area. Inmates serving life with the possibility of parole sentences are required to appear before a parole board and prove that they no longer present a danger to society before they are granted release. The parole board comprises law enforcement and corrections professionals who are appointed by the Governor. During…