California's Budget Includes Books Not Bars' Reforms

While many politicians will take credit for corrections reform measures in this year's budget, Books Not Bars has been working tirelessly for several years to put these needed changes on the radar screen of California legislators. We've been fighting to redirect California's resources away from youth incarceration and toward youth opportunities.
Books Not Bars has been visionary in calling for the reforms reflected in this year's budget. Last year, in its support of Senate Bill 1589 (Romero), Books Not Bars advocated for the reduction of the CYA population by sending young women, technical parole violators and lower-risk youth back to counties. Families descended on the Capitol numerous times last year to push for a limit to the number of youth sent to CYA.
Unfortunately, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill. Books Not Bars protested the Governor's veto in Southern California at his campaign office. The Governor also faced negative press when Roderick Hickman, Secretary of CDCR[SA1], resigned, stating that the Governor was blocking corrections reform.
In a surprising turn, in January 2007 the Governor presented a plan to reduce the Youth Authority population by closing CYA's doors to lower-risk youth and young women. Books Not Bars members, stunned to see the Governor suddenly propose ideas they had championed and seen vetoed, were nevertheless pleased with the new direction.
This year, Books Not Bars supports Assemblymember Curren Price's Family Connection Bill, which would establish a minimum of four calls to family members per month for incarcerated youth. The Family Connection Bill will ensure that youth can actually contact their families consistently. Countless studies identify family connection as key to reducing recidivism rates. Finally, DJJ recently announced the closure of DeWitt Nelson, one of the youth prisons that Books Not Bars believes should be replaced with real rehabilitation centers and community based programs.
While the Governor and others may take credit for their vision and leadership, families of incarcerated youth across California will know that they helped the Governor and legislators see the light.
Learn more about the Family Connection Act, Books Not Bars' proposal to help families with children inside the youth prison system stay more connected.