Prisons

Justice

A DA kept Black women off a jury. California’s Supreme Court says that wasn’t racial bias

A federal judge in April ordered Alameda County to review more than 30 of its death penalty convictions after evidence emerged suggesting the District Attorney’s Office blocked Black and Jewish people from serving on juries. This week, the California Supreme Court upheld a capital sentence from a trial that had no Black jurors.

By Shaanth Nanguneri • June 19, 2024

California Divide

California’s Black legislators make case for reparations bills while launching statewide tour 

California’s Black Legislative Caucus is touring the state to promote reparations bills that address forced prison labor and efforts to improve health, longevity and financial equity. The six-city tour is meant to urge the public to get involved in lobbying lawmakers.

By Deborah Brennan • June 17, 2024

Commentary

If California opts for smaller changes to prisons, rehabilitation must remain a priority

Instead of closing prisons to help close a budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to close 46 total housing blocks. The cost of housing inmates will keep growing unless access to rehabilitation programs improves.

By Steve Brooks • June 14, 2024

Justice

California is spending more on fewer inmates. Why isn’t Newsom closing more prisons?

Gov. Gavin Newsom is recommending small cuts to the state prison system, avoiding the closures of additional facilities.

By Nigel Duara • May 11, 2024

Justice

How a suicide crisis led to change in one small California county jail

“Jail suicides are extraordinarily difficult to protect against,” a retired California sheriff said. One jail in the San Joaquin Valley is changing routines to keep inmates from harming themselves.

By Nigel Duara • May 6, 2024

Capitol

California officials won’t say why it would cost ‘billions’ to protect prison workers from heat

Finance and Corrections officials won’t release records on cost estimates for state prisons to comply with rules to protect workers from indoor heat. Prisons have been exempted from the regulations that are in the works.

By Jeanne Kuang • May 1, 2024

Economy

How some programs help with post-prison life: ‘I’m signing checks. This is crazy.’

Anti-recidivism nonprofit helps formerly incarcerated people start businesses and get tech jobs.

By Levi Sumagaysay • April 24, 2024

Economy

California to expand re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Here’s how they work

State touts transitional programs that aim to help individuals become self-sufficient after they leave prison.

By Levi Sumagaysay • April 24, 2024

Justice

He swore to fix some of California’s deadliest jails. He gave up 

“Am I going to continue banging my head against the wall here for something I don’t think is going to change?” asked the leader of a civilian law enforcement review board in San Diego County.

By Nigel Duara • April 22, 2024

Justice

We investigated California’s rehab for parolees. Now, the state is taking action

As the state moves to shrink its prison population, it hasn’t been measuring the effectiveness of a key parole program known as STOP, the Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming.

By Andrew Donohue • April 19, 2024