The Latest

The San Jose Mercury News (July 30, 2009) — California could save billions of dollars per year through sensible criminal justice reforms rather than by revoking aid to its neediest residents, activists and state lawmakers said Thursday.

The Truthout (May 13, 2009) — Toshi Priest joined other California mothers such as Sharon James of Merced and the Books Not Bars campaign of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, based in Oakland, for a press conference at the state Capitol on May 7. Speakers called for ending the policy of time-adds for youths (ages 14 to 25) in DJJ facilities. To this end, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Books Not Bars support passage of Assembly Bill 999 (AB 999), which she introduced February 27.

Sacramento Bee (November 29, 2008) — Since the state entered into a consent decree in November 2004 to improve conditions in its juvenile prisons, those conditions have not improved to any appreciable degree, according to Donald Specter of the Prison Law Office. And Alameda Superior Court Judge Judge Jon S. Tigar, who approved the consent decree, wrote in an Oct. 27 order that while remedial plans were developed as required, the state "has not complied with the deadlines in any of them."

The Stockton Record (August 1, 2008) — Books Not Bars marked the official closure Thursday of a Stockton-area youth prison by shouting outside the gates for a wholesale shutdown of the state's Division of Juvenile Justice.

KFBK (March 10, 2008) — Reporter Tim Lantz: "By letting kids call or write to their family, clergy and legal council in their own language, plus require the Department of Juvenile Justice to communicate better with families. Another bill called the Keeping Families Whole Act - is expected to amend laws which prevent parents behind bars from reuniting with their children after release..."

Sacramento Bee (December 30, 2007) — Huddled against the wall, an 18-year-old second-degree murderer named Jeffrey Stevenson crooked a telephone into his neck, barely talking, but staying in touch with the transmitted sounds of life on the outside.

Under Assembly Bill 1300, a new law lobbied by Books Not Bars and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was one of at least four telephone calls that Stevenson will get to make every month, regardless of his disciplinary status.

KPFA Radio (November 18, 2007) — Books Not Bars and The Gathering For Justice work together to produce a rally to protest the lack of real juvenile justice, both in California and the United States. Families speak out about the poor treatment they received at the hands of California's youth prison system.

KPBS Radio (September 24, 2007) — In August of 2005, a ward in a California youth prison who was locked alone in his cell for two months killed himself. The suicide of 18-year-old Joseph Maldonado prompted a special investigation. It also inspired a bill just approved by the California Legislature.

The measure aims to make it easier for wards of the state to have contact with their families. Supporters say family contact is essential for rehabilitation. Kenny Goldberg speaks with Books Not Bars' Sumayyah Waheed and Joseph's sister Rene Nuñez.

Stockton Record (July 31, 2007) — At first it fed on picket signs and raw emotion. But now Books Not Bars has added lobbyists and legislation to its diet in a fight to take down California's highly criticized youth prisons.

In its first six years, the grass-roots organization has matured into a reckoning force, drawn from its home base in Oakland to protest violence and poor conditions inside youth prisons such as N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility near Stockton.

Sacramento Bee (May 15, 2007) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday proposed shutting down another facility in the troubled youth prison system, and corrections officials say more such closures could be on the way, including one of the most violent lockups in the state.

KCRA Sacramento (May 10, 2007) — As mothers joined Books Not Bars in demanding better access to their incarcerated children, the TV cameras were rolling. Watch the KCRA3 Sacramento coverage of the event.

Watch the video

Univision 19 in Sacramento (May 10, 2007) — As mothers joined Books Not Bars in demanding better access to their incarcerated children, the TV cameras were rolling. Watch the Univision in Sacramento coverage of the event. (Note: this coverage is in Spanish with no subtitles)

Watch the video

CBS5 and CBS13 (April 28, 2007) — CBS5 and CBS13 report on the changes that are underway in California's youth prison system: Sally Lieber and Books Not Bars are working to shut it down and transition to county-run restorative centers.

Watch the Video

Hard Knock Radio, KPFA (April 27, 2007) — Ella Baker Center staffers Joyce Cook and Lourdes Duarte celebrate the vote in the Public Safety Committee to close California's youth prisons. They explain how this victory will help California's youth receive the services they need to be rehabilitated, in a system similar to Missouri's.
Listen to the broadcast:

The Stockton Record (April 26, 2007) — A proposal by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-San Jose, would over the next two years close down youth prisons across the state, including the N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility outside Stockton, and send wards to county-operated detention and treatment facilities.

The bill, which was passed by the Assembly Public Safety Committee earlier this week on a 5-2 vote, is not the first such proposal to send committed youth offenders closer to home and families, but it is gaining attention - and criticism.

Stockton Record (April 25, 2007) — A bill that calls for closing down the state’s youth prisons, including Stockton’s N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility, has passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee in a first big hurdle.

KPFA Radio (April 25, 2007) — Legislation to close California's youth prisons has passed the first hurdle to becoming law. The Public Safety committee voted in favor of AB 1655, a bill to close the Division of Juvenile Justice and return the youth to smaller facilities close to their families, has passed the Public Safety Committee and will now be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Listen to the broadcast:

The Record (April 9, 2007) — The recent legislation being introduced by state Rep. Curren Price, D-Inglewood, would ensure that families would have access to their incarcerated children, reducing recidivism rates. Families attest to this inexpensive and proven measure to bolster public safety and would eliminate the bureaucratic barriers to visits and contact.

KPFK Evening News (April 7, 2007) — Books Not Bars and State Rep. Curren Price (D-Inglewood) officially introduce the Family Connection Bill, legislation that will help keep families of incarcerated youth intact, reduce recidivism and reduce depression and suicide among youth prisoners.

KCBS San Francisco (March 29, 2007) — A proposal to reform California’s embattled juvenile justice system by encouraging communication is gaining steam.

(March 15, 2007) — A California lawmaker wants to shutdown California's troubled juvenile detention facilities, instead sending young offenders back to their home counties for education and treatment. Assem. Sally Lieber, D-Mountain View, introduced legislation this week that would essentially close California's Division of Juvenile Justice.

KCBS San Jose (March 12, 2007) — San Jose Assemblywoman Sally Lieber is introducing a bill that would change the structure of the youth prison system. She is proposing to take juvenile offenders from state facilities and put them into smaller, community-based facilities run by counties.

San Jose Mecury News (March 12, 2007) — Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Mountain View, announced Wednesday she has proposed legislation that would dismantle the Department of Juvenile Justice -- closing all youth prisons in the state -- and turn over responsibility for juvenile offenders to local counties.

CBS 5 (March 12, 2007) — (BCN) Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-San Jose, has recently introduced a bill that aims to eliminate the California Division of Juvenile Justice entirely.

Associated Press (September 2, 2006) — Three employees at a youth prison in Stockton are fighting suspensions imposed after the suicide last year of an 18-year-old ward who was isolated in his room for two months, the corrections department said in responding to a public records request from The Associated Press.

The Nation (June 24, 2006) — A look at conditions in California's "CHAD" youth prison - and Books Not Bars campaign to make things better.