Despite challenges, members of the LWOP Alliance Group remain resilient. Many have pursued education and earned their GEDs, while also supporting charitable initiatives such as No Shave November, the “From Taking to Giving” hygiene drive for the homeless community in Imperial County, and Tabs of Love for children with cancer.
They actively engage in legislative advocacy, collaborating with USC Gould School of Law in 2023-2024 and continuing into 2025. Drawing from their lived experiences, they work alongside law professors and students to push for reforms to existing prison laws. Notably, some members are among the first to become certified Cal-MHSA peer support specialists—a groundbreaking program launched by Governor Newsom under the New California Model. Calipatria State Prison stands out as the only Level 4 security yard implementing this initiative, demonstrating that even in the face of hopelessness, positive change is possible.
This article is a plea for public awareness and action to address the lasting harm caused by Proposition 1 and related laws. The LWOP Alliance Group believes reform is not just possible but necessary—to restore justice, offer hope, and create opportunities for rehabilitation for those who have been left behind.
Sincerely,
Libni Vargas, Chief Editor
LWOP Alliance Group at CAL-D Fac
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