FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2022
CONTACTS:
Joshua Stickney, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
joshua@ellabakercenter.org, 405-315-4151
Ashley Chambers, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
ashley@ellabakercenter.org, 510-285-8227
Oakland, CA–On Thursday, April 14, hundreds of community members and loved ones of currently incarcerated people joined a California Department of Corrections and rehabilitation (CDCr) public hearing to express support for a modest proposal that would protect credit earning regulations and provide dignity and hope for people currently incarcerated in California prisons. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights issued the following statements:
Ella Baker Center Executive Director Marlene Sanchez:
“Prisons have never kept our communities safe or supported the healing and restoration that our communities need. Approving these credit earning regulations is one way we can support rehabilitation for people inside, in so doing, prioritizing safe and healthy communities for everyone. It’s important that we prioritize rehabilitation for people currently incarcerated so they have the tools needed to lead productive lives once they leave prison.”
Ella Baker Center Campaign Manager James King:
“For decades, California has sentenced young people and people of color to extreme sentences in the name of public safety. Extreme sentencing is not justice. It doesn’t acknowledge the factors that contribute to acts of harm, and it doesn’t promote public safety. We support these modest credit earning rates because it acknowledges the need for hope, humanity, and dignity for everyone in our society, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The people who are incarcerated are more than their conviction histories. Credit earning is a key incentive for people currently incarcerated to engage in their rehabilitation.”