Joe Garcia

Justice

How San Quentin prisoners reached around the world to create ‘a piece of freedom’

California committed more than $200 million toward refashioning San Quentin as a hub for rehabilitation. Prisoners followed suit with their own plans to beautify the place with world-class murals.

By Joe Garcia • August 5, 2025

Justice

‘Freedom week’: California gun owners raced to buy ammunition after court ruling

California gun owners raced to take advantage of a new federal appeals court ruling against a law that required background checks for ammunition purchases. Some expect Gov. Gavin Newsom to appeal.

By Joe Garcia • August 1, 2025

Justice

He confessed to a killing at 21. Is it time for California to give him a second chance?

California made it easier for young people convicted of serious crimes to get a second chance, except for those sentenced to life without parole. New legislation could change that.

By Joe Garcia • July 29, 2025

Justice

What it’s like to be in downtown LA as protests continue: ‘We’ve never seen it like this’

Despite the curfew, people are still coming to downtown LA to participate in immigration protests. Local residents are living with around-the-clock law enforcement and experiencing vandalism.

By Joe Garcia • June 14, 2025

Justice

A program paying California jurors $100 a day would end abruptly due to Newsom’s new budget

California's experiment with increasing pay for jury duty would come to an early end under the new budget Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking lawmakers to approve.

By Joe Garcia • May 28, 2025

Justice

‘Relic of slavery’: California lawmakers are trying again to raise pay for incarcerated workers

Many people in California prisons and jails work for less than $1 an hour. Lawmakers are advancing two bills that could lead to wage increases for some of them.

By Joe Garcia • May 19, 2025

Mental Health

Inside LA’s mental health court: Meth, homelessness and the judge who wants to help

Addiction and homelessness are a constant presence in L.A.'s mental health court. Its judge wants defendants to "feel like someone who's deep in the system of power cares about them.

By Joe Garcia • April 23, 2025

Health

A Kaiser strike by mental health workers drags on — setting a US record — as talks resume

Almost half a year into the dispute, eight striking Kaiser mental health workers wrapped up a hunger strike as broken-off negotiations were set to resume.

By Joe Garcia • April 15, 2025

Justice

Californians rejected an anti-slavery ballot measure. Lawmakers want to try again

Californians rejected the anti-slavery ballot measure Proposition 6, which would have forbid forced prison labor. Reparations advocates want to try again in 2026.

By Joe Garcia • February 13, 2025

Justice

‘Devastating’ layoff notices hit California disabled prison contractors after union dispute

Dozens of disabled workers hired through the nonprofit PRIDE Industries are losing their jobs at a California prison after a union outsourcing dispute.

By Joe Garcia • January 23, 2025

Joe Garcia

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