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Juvenile and Criminal Justice Bills Clear the California Legislature: Maureen Washburn, Sep 13, 2016; Advocates celebrate the successful passage of several key bills and call on Governor Brown to sign them into law.
California Youth Raise Their Voices “Strong and Loud”: Maureen Washburn, Sep 6, 2016; On August 8th , hundreds of youth from across California gathered in Sacramento for the annual Free Our Dreams Organizing Summit and Advocacy Day.
In Honor of Change-Maker, Juidell Preston: Dinky Manek Enty, Aug 30, 2016; CJCJ honors our friend and caring leader, Juidell Preston, who passed away on August 6, 2016.
California’s Bail System: Reform or Abolish? (Part 2): Rebecca Wegley, Aug 25, 2016; The bail bonds industry has a long history of aggravating racial and socio-economic disparities, and engaging in blatant corruption.
California’s Bail System: Reform or Abolish? (Part 1): Rebecca Wegley, Aug 4, 2016; The money bail system was designed to ensure that people charged with an offense return to court for trial. In practice, however, it rewards those who can afford to pay and punishes those who cannot.
California Sentencing Institute now shows county trends for 2009-2014: Erica Webster, Jul 26, 2016; CJCJ's interactive map now shows 6-year trends for county criminal and juvenile justice practices and statewide disparities
Ban the Box: Helpful or Harmful?: Rebecca Wegley, Jul 14, 2016; A new study reveals an unintended consequence of Ban the Box legislation. How does this impact job seekers?
California legislature hears pros and cons of statewide sentencing reform: Erica Webster, Jul 6, 2016; Criminal and juvenile justice reform advocates testified in support of Governor Brown's ballot initiative Proposition 57, which would roll back disastrous, pro-mass incarceration policy.
The California Legislature Approves Additional $270 Million for Jail Construction: Maureen Washburn, Jun 21, 2016; On June 15, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 844, creating yet another allocation for local criminal justice facility construction.
Crime and Violence by San Francisco Youth Plunges 80 percent in Last 20 Years: Mike Males, Jun 15, 2016; But strangely, youth entering the system are twice as likely to be incarcerated today.
Harnessing County Level Prop 47 Savings: Rebecca Wegley, Jun 2, 2016; Prop 47 cost savings are not being fully realized at the county level. County officials and community groups must act to ensure these savings are reinvested into community-based programs.
A Special Goodbye: Dinky Manek Enty, Jun 1, 2016; Ten-year-old Eva was sad and upset — after six years of visiting her dad weekly in jail, everything was changing. Her father was going to prison.
Informed Policymaking Begins with Data Collection: Maureen Washburn, May 24, 2016; Recently proposed legislation would expand the California Department of Justice’s data collection apparatus and propel justice system reform.
California Must Prioritize In-Person Visits: Brian Goldstein, May 17, 2016; California’s county jails are exacerbating the collateral consequences of incarceration by adopting "video visitation" instead of allowing family members and children to visit in person.
Should Young People Be Banished from Public?: Mike Males, May 6, 2016; It’s for their own protection, leaders say, claiming “studies” show youth-control laws “prevent crime” and “save lives.” But do they? A critique of recent…
Young Adult Prisons Are Not the Answer: Maureen Washburn, Apr 26, 2016; A proposal by the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation defies best practices and fails to heed the lessons of history.
Senate subcommittee votes to improve Prop. 47 funding process: Erica Webster, Apr 20, 2016; The state legislature hears concerns about the unequal representation of communities most impacted by criminal justice policy.
The Dark Side of “Brain Science”: Manufacturing Teenage Crime: Mike Males, Apr 5, 2016; Governor Brown should veto the “smoking age” bill. Like other useless “status offenses,” it will contribute to thousands more arrests and higher unemployment among young…
California Must Reform Its Gang Sentencing Laws: Nisha Ajmani, Mar 29, 2016; Sentencing enhancements intended to deter gang activity are overly punitive, conflict with the juvenile justice system’s mission, and have a disproportionate impact on young people of color.
$250 Million Proposed for Jail Construction Raises Questions from the Legislature: Brian Goldstein, Mar 23, 2016; The California Assembly Committee questions the need for an additional $250 Million in local adult facility construction funding.
Spotlight on New Juvenile and Criminal Justice Legislation: Maureen Washburn, Mar 8, 2016; Newly proposed legislation would preserve access to in-person visitation, strengthen juvenile data collection, and involve law enforcement officers in diversion.
Farrell’s End Gives True Juvenile Justice Reform a Chance: Nisha Ajmani, Mar 2, 2016; After the 2002 lawsuit against DJJ was dismissed on February 25, 2016, CJCJ urges youth California to avoid repeating mistakes of the past.
Let Them Eat Lead: Randall G. Shelden, Feb 23, 2016; The refrain of "black lives matter" has been ignored by most of the country’s leadership, but now particularly in Flint, Michigan, where the water crisis has made it very apparent that the…
California Needs Data-driven Juvenile Justice: Brian Goldstein, Feb 16, 2016; Data can tell a story. The absence of data and thoughtful analysis can do the same, by illustrating that the state is not adequately prioritizing juvenile justice.
Governor Brown Proposes Additional $250 Million in Adult Facility Construction Funding: Maureen Washburn, Jan 27, 2016; Governor Brown’s 2016-2017 budget proposal increases state spending on local criminal justice facilities, while limiting competition for funds.