This post is based on a press release from the office of Assemblymember Tom Ammiano.
Assemblymember Tom Ammiano’s bill (D-San Francisco) to restore media access to prisoners, AB 1270, passed the California Assembly today. The bill would remove restrictions on pre-arranged in-person interviews with specific prison inmates.… Read more
Yesterday, California’s state Department of Finance announced that the state will slash more services in order to keep the budget balanced. That includes about $550 million from schools: colleges, universities, and K-12. Devastating cuts to an already shattered budget. In contrast, prisons got cut a… Read more
After six years with the Ella Baker Center, families continue to amaze me with the strength and power of their fight to win humane treatment for their youth. Sacramento’ CBS station, KOVR 13, witnessed some of this power and aired it in a damning investigation of California’s youth… Read more
This blog is part of our series celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. You can celebrate with us at the 2011 Ellas: 15 Years of People-Powered Change, or submit your own anniversary memory or wish to ellasvoice@ellabakercenter.org.
I remember my first… Read more
On September 21–next Wednesday–the state of Georgia plans to execute Troy Davis. Serious doubts remain as to Troy Davis’ guilt. But there is still time to save Troy Davis’ life. The Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles will hold a final clemency hearing in the days… Read more
As the Director of our Books Not Bars campaign, I have heard too many horror stories from youth and families about the abuse and trauma that kids suffer in our State’s youth prisons. Though we have exposed the DJJ’s failure to rehabilitate the youth in its care for… Read more
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California’s overcrowded prisons subject prisoners to such medical neglect that they violate the Constitution’s 8th Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The justices upheld an order to release tens of thousands of people from California’s prisons. According… Read more
On Monday, the Governor released his updated budget for California. He made some changes, but one thing stayed the same: while services and health care got slashed, prisons got a boost. A $145 million boost.
What kind of priorities are those?
A few days ago, Professor Michelle Alexander… Read more
I admit, I’ve been guilty of being the d-word: discouraged! Watching state budget negotiations, or the news, will do that.
But last night, I went to Youth Uprising to see the new Alameda County Probation Chief, David Muhammad, present with Presiding Juvenile Judge Trina Thompson.… Read more
First Tunisia, now Egypt! Today we at the Ella Baker Center celebrate the victory of the people of Egypt. The people have made history. They came together in peace, in dignity, and showed a force so strong, they toppled a 30-year dictatorship. What I wouldn’t give to be in Tahrir… Read more
