Campaign Updates
We simply can no longer afford an expensive, failed youth prison system at the expense of our schools, hospitals, and libraries.
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The DJJ’s oldest and most remote youth prison is closing. Preston, the site of so many tragedies, will finally close its doors this summer. Despite attempts by Assemblymember Alyson Huber, who introduced AB 8 to keep Preston and the rest of the youth prisons open, Preston is closing.
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State compromises on DJJ Closure
Governor Brown backed off on closing DJJ. His new plan is to offer counties money to treat youth locally instead of sending them to DJJ.
We're disappointed that the Governor caved to special interests to prop up an expensive and failed system of prisons for just 1,300 youth a year.
While our state leaders missed a huge opportunity, this is a small step in the right direction. With funding, counties now have the chance to break their prison addiction. Books Not Bars won't stop until every youth prison is replaced with more effective local programs that actually rehabilitate our youth.
Alameda County hired David Muhammad Chief Probation Officer as the new Chief Probation Officer. This is a crucial position for youth in our community--the Probation Chief has the power to choose bold strategies to save money and safely reduce the lockup of youth, or more of the same wasteful, ineffective lock ‘em up policies.
Books not Bars collected community voices recommended David as the new Probation Chief. He has been successful at reducing lockup, lowering recidivism, and improving youth outcomes
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