by Samuel Fishman, LSPC Staff Attorney Every April, advocates across the state and nation celebrate Second Chance Month. But it's not just advocates ringing in the annual celebration. In recent years, corrections and law enforcement departments nationwide have also acknowledged Second Chance Month. Not to miss out on the fun, last year, the California Department of … [Read more...] about Legal Corner: Celebrate Second Chance Month by Giving a First Opportunity
Legal
Legal Corner: Implementing the Racial Justice Act for All
by Morgan Zamora, Ella Baker Center Prison Advocacy Manager Since its inception, the United States criminal legal system has been shaped by the racism upon which this country was built. Despite growing acknowledgement of this dark history and its harmful impacts, legislative leaders and judicial actors have made little progress toward remedying the life-altering consequences … [Read more...] about Legal Corner: Implementing the Racial Justice Act for All
Penal Code § 4571 & Your First Amendment Rights
by Gillian Henry, LSPC Director of Development & Communications On August 9, 2021, Minister King X was arrested for his participation in a protest earlier that summer. Wrenched into a car by plainclothes officers at his workplace California Prison Focus, King was arrested for allegedly violating California Penal Code (PC) section 4571 by standing outside of a state … [Read more...] about Penal Code § 4571 & Your First Amendment Rights
Legal Corner: Advancing Food Justice in Reentry through FRESH Act Implementation
by Natalie Smith, LSPC Staff Attorney The winter holidays are filled with memories of food for many: sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, and roasted turkey evoke nostalgia and warmth. In California, CalFresh—also called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps—helps nearly 5 million people put food on the table.1 Although research … [Read more...] about Legal Corner: Advancing Food Justice in Reentry through FRESH Act Implementation
Theses on Labor, Exploitation, & Incarceration
by Eric C. Sapp, LSPC Staff Attorney Prefatory Note: This an abridged version of a text written in spring of 2023, in the context of advocacy regarding carceral wages. §1 Workers’ rights are human rights; let it be stated unequivocally that incarcerated workers are workers. §2 The prison and industrial capitalism arose in tandem. Carceral … [Read more...] about Theses on Labor, Exploitation, & Incarceration
