Based in Oakland, CA, the Ella Baker Center advances racial and economic justice to ensure dignity and opportunity for low-income people and people of color. One of our top policy priorities this year is Senate Bill 474, The BASICs Act, authored by Senator Becker.
SB 474 would prohibit items sold in California state prisons’ canteens from being offered at a price beyond 10% of the cost paid to the vendor. SB 474 aims to end price gouging on essential food supplies and hygiene products for incarcerated people.
Why we support SB 474:
- SB 474 would reduce the markup on canteen items across California state prisons to no more than 10% beyond the price paid to the vendor.
- This bill would save currently incarcerated people and their families millions annually, and relieve tens of thousands of Californians from the burden of purchasing overpriced essential items.
- To date, we have received over 1,000 support letters from currently incarcerated folks for this bill.
Ways you can support:
- Post online using this toolkit.
- Check out artwork from incarcerated artist Jessie Milo in support of SB 474.
- Hear testimonials in support of this important legislation from our 2023 Inside Fellows Steven Warren and Macio Lindsey.
- Submit a letter of support on behalf of the bill: from organizations, from systems-impacted individuals, and from the currently incarcerated community.
Learn more about the Ella Baker Center’s policy work here.
EBC is a co-sponsor along with Legal Aid at Work, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) / All Of Us Or None, MILPA Collective, and Women’s Foundation California Solís Policy Institute.