Lifers and Lifer Families and Friends: Parole Preparation Events Please join us at these important townhall events, co-organized by CCWP:
From CCWP

From CCWP


Join parole experts, attorneys, advocates, and community members in parole preparation workshops:
Ø Learn about Proposition 9 (Marsy’s Law): How does it affect Term-to-Life prisoners? How does it change parole in California?
Ø Develop strategies to assist in Lifer releases—preparation for the parole board, legal remedies, and community organizing.
Ø Support our loved ones when they are released!
Ø Build a movement to win freedom for our loved ones!

San Francisco
When: Saturday May 16th, 1-4pm
Where: Goodwill, 1500 Mission St
between 11th and 12th Sts
San Francisco, CA 94103

Los Angeles
When: Saturday May 30th, 1-4pm
Where: Bernice Watkins Vision Center
10957 South Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059

You may also contact CCWP at 415-255-7036 x314 for more information.

     Federal 3 Judge Panel Rules on Prison Overcrowding
California Must Reduce Number of People in Prison
On Monday, February 9, a tentative ruling was issued by the federal three judge panel stating that overcrowding is primary cause of the cruel and unusual conditions in California state prisons, and that they plan to order the state of California to reduce the population by roughly 55,000 people in the next 2 to 3 years. The ruling lists changes to parole practices, increasing "good time credits" for prisoners, and alternative sentencing as possible ways to reduce the population, all of which have been considered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and Governor in recent years. The Governor declared a state of emergency in 2006 because of the “severe overcrowding” in California’s prisons, causing “substantial risk to the health and safety of the men and women who work inside these prisons and the inmates housed in them.”

This ruling is a major victory for prisoners, their loved ones, and advocates who in the face of retaliation and deliberate indifference from the CDCR have continued fighting for their constitutional and human rights.

However, the State plans to immediately appeal the decision to the Supreme Court which will mean that it will be some time before a population cap will be put into effect. It is vital that our communities continue to raise public awareness of conditions inside and organize to hold the system accountable to the suffering and death it has caused.

CCWP will continue to organize with people inside and their loved ones and advocates outside as this situation unfolds.

If you are interested in being involved with these efforts, please contact CCWP at 415-255-7036 x4 or at info@womenprisoners.org .

     Rally for Prisoner Releases Friday December 19th 8:30 AM
On Tuesday, November 18th the Federal three-judge panel began a month of hearings in San Francisco to deal with the continuing issue of prison overcrowding and the cruel and unusual conditions it creates for people imprisoned in California. We had an amazing rally on the first day of the trial with roughly 50 former prisoners, loved ones of prisoners, and our supporters demanding prisoner release and an end to the inhumane treatment of people inside.

This Friday December 19th will be the last day of these hearings and we want to make sure the voices of our loved ones inside are heard and let them know that the only solution to prison overcrowding is prisoner release!

The overwhelming defeat of Proposition 6 (he so-called "Safe Neighborhoods Act") sent a strong message that the public does not want to spend millions of more dollars on a failed prison system. Proposition 9, billed as a victims rights initiative, passed but only due to a well-funded media campaign filled with misleading information. Unless we challenge it now, prisoners will be incarcerated well beyond their mandated sentences.

Join loved ones, friends and advocates for people in California's prisons to demand:

PAROLE ELIGIBLE PRISONERS NOW!

RELEASE LOW-RISK AGING PRISONERS, INCARCERATED SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND MEDICALLY INCAPACITATED PRISONERS!

STOP THE CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT OF PEOPLE IN PRISON!

INVEST IN COMMUNITIES NOT IN PRISONS!

For more information about the rally, contact us at 415-255-7036 x314 or info@womenprisoners.org

For more information about the hearings, see the following news articles:

San Francisco Chronicle-November 18th, 2008-Prison Overcrowding Blamed for Health Woes

New York Times-December 7, 2008-Judges to Decide Whether Crowded California Prisons Are Unconstitutional

San Francisco Chronicle-December 15th, 2008-Jammed By Neglect

     Vote NO on Propositions 9 and 6!
Taking the lead from our members inside, CCWP is urging people to vote NO on California Propositions 9 and 6 this November 4! Propositions 9 would take away basic prisoner rights and lead to further overcrowding, while Proposition 6 would further criminalize youth, especially youth of color, and take needed funds from community programs.

     CCWP on Hard Knock Radio!
On the last Friday of every month at 4pm, the Without Walls radio show airs on KPFA during the Hard Knock Radio hour. Without Walls is a collaboration between Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, Free Battered Women, All of Us or None, and California Coalition for Women Prisoners. This month was CCWP's turn to host the show, with a focus on mental health issues in California women's prisons. You can listen to the show by clicking here .

     More News...