Senate Bill 1391, which would stop California from transferring 14- and 15-year-olds to the adult court system, passed out of the Senate after a concurrence vote on August 30th. The bill is now headed to Governor Brown’s desk for his signature. Head on over to this page, and take action by writing a letter to the Governor, and ask him to sign SB 1391. Learn more about the bill here.
Senate Bill 1391 (Lara) passed in the State Assembly late last night, with a 41-23 vote. The bill is now returning to the Senate for a concurrence vote, before heading to Governor Brown’s desk.
We are grateful to our powerful coalition of advocates, formerly incarcerated people, activists, and community members who care about protecting our 14- and 15-year-old youth.
We need your help one more time! Please head over to our Take Action page, and learn how you can ask Governor Brown sign this important bill into law!
In California, children as young as 14 are given adult sentences, including life in prison.
This shouldn’t happen. If you live in California or know someone who does, make a call.
Do you have a loved one sentenced to prison? Think about those who were sentenced to prison at age 14 or 15. Help end this practice: CLICK HERE FOR EASY INSTRUCTIONS. The next few days may be your last chance to help pass a law that would stop California from sending youth under 16 to the adult system.
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Join the CARESCall as we welcome the Honorable Nancy Skinner, California State Senator on Tuesday, August 21st, at 8 pm. Everyone is welcome. Call: (515) 604-9384 Code: 313882# Senator Skinner will lead a detailed discussion on SB 1437, which aims to reform the Felony Murder Rule in California.The Felony Murder Rule disproportionately affects youth and people of color, and people are given harsh and unjust prison sentences. The current law has devastated many families and communities, and the bill would bring fairness and proportionate sentencing to the California justice system.
Senate Bill 1391 passed in the CA Assembly Committee on Public Safety on June 26th, with a 5-2 vote. It is now headed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
We had a successful day of visits with Assembly members yesterday, and we need your support in asking your Assembly members to vote yes on SB 1391. Click on this link and take action, support #SB1391!
An important effort to end the trying of youth as adults is headed to a committee vote on June 26th! Help SB 1391 pass by clicking here for easy-to-use letters of support.
Shaka Senghor tells his story of redemption and vision as the new director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
He was powerful in his TED Talk, powerful in an interview with Oprah, and he’ll be powerful, here, too. Shaka is the new Executive Director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. His memoir, is Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death and Redemption in an American Prison, is a tribute to human strength, and his TED Talk, “Why your Worst Deeds Don’t Define You” reminds us that our worst deeds don’t define who we are or what we can contribute to the world. Join us to hear this powerful speaker.
Tuesday, June 19th at 8pm
Call: (515) 604-9384
Code: 313882#
Sexual abuse. Sex trafficking. Violence against girls.
In a perverse twist of justice, many girls who experience abuse are routed into the justice system because of their victimization. Violence against girls is a painfully American tale. Our guests on Tuesday will talk about
Futures Denied: Why California Should Not Prosecute 14- and 15-year-olds as Adults (PDF) New report by Human Rights Watch and the W. Haywood Burns Institute, August 2018
The Rest of Our Lives: Life without Parole for Child Offenders in the United States (PDF)
is the first national analysis of life without parole sentences for children
When I Die, They'll Send Me Home: Youth Sentenced to Life without Parole in California - 2012 update (PDF) finds that in many cases where juveniles were prosecuted with an adult, the youth received heavier sentences than their adult codefendants.
