In a post-Realignment era, enacting sentences proportional to crimes and treatment programs are the next step in addressing concerns about increasing jail populations and public safety.
Blog Aug 7, 2014
Is California Finally Figuring Out Drugs?
“No state has embraced both illegal drugs and the official wars thereon like California,” writes Mike Males. After a roller coaster half-century, the state may finally be on its way to good drug policy.
California recently lifted the ban on access to welfare for people with felony drug convictions. Though a strong step in the right direction, many obstacles remain for this vulnerable population.
In Fresno, a community-based approach to pretrial reform; Expert helps Cameo House strengthen its women-centered approach; A new approach for juvenile facilities in California.
Unofficial notes from the meeting, taken by CJCJ’s Brian Goldstein.
CJCJ’s Brian Goldstein comments on the importance of the BSCC — “arguably the most powerful corrections body in the state.”
Most people in California’s jails have not had their day in court — they are detained because they are simply too poor to post bail.
Blog Jul 29, 2014
California’s Radical Youth Trends
Huge reductions in youth incarceration, huge increases in populations of youth of color — and huge reductions in youth crime. Who knew?
CJCJ’s Mike Males on the truth about gun violence, gun control, and youth of color.
Blog Jul 25, 2014
A New Approach for Juvenile Facilities in California
California’s Board of State and Community Corrections makes critical decisions on the future of the state’s justice-involved youth — and the public is beginning to pay attention.
Jul 23, 2014
CJCJ in the news: As Juvenile Arrests Plummet, California Still Investing in Incarceration Facilities
The Chronicle of Social Change highlights advocacy by CJCJ and others to use state funds for local innovative programming-based juvenile justice facilities.
Blog Jul 22, 2014
Scapegoating the Poor
The story of a single working mother who faces a decade in prison for allowing her daughter to play in a park unsupervised demonstrates our foolish reliance on incarceration and punishment as a way to poverty.