Month: September 2011

Report Details Wide Abuse in Los Angeles Jail System

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 The ACLU prepares to file a law suit against Los Angles city jails. The lawsuit details many gruesome abuses in the jails by deputies. The ACLU will also call for a federal investigation of the jails, as well as the resignation of Sheriff Baca, who denies the allegations of abuse. This law suit raises questions around the effects of transferring inmates from overcrowded prisons into overcrowded jails, and what safeguards will be put in place.

LOS ANGELES — One inmate said he was forced to walk down a hallway naked after sheriff’s deputies accused him of stealing a piece of mail. They taunted him in Spanish, calling him a derogatory name for homosexuals.

Another former inmate said that after he protested that guards were harassing a mentally ill prisoner, the same deputies took him into another room, slammed his head into a wall and repeatedly punched him in the chest.

And a chaplain said he saw deputies punching an inmate until he collapsed to the ground. They then began kicking the apparently unconscious man’s head and body.

The examples are just a fraction of dozens of detailed allegations of abuse in Los Angeles County’s Men’s Central Jail and Twin Towers, according to a report that the American Civil Liberties Union  Continue reading →

De-Bug’s ACJP members featured in Mercury News article on prison re-entry

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A front page Sunday Mercury News article focusing on California’s realignment plan entitled, “California prison realignment to put more low-level offenders on streets”features the story of two ACJP members Glenn Maxwell and Brenda Valencia. The article uses their story to illustrate how expensive, and often times unnecessary, prison commitments have been in California. Both Glenn and Brenda are great examples of community members who are working hard to be great parents, and contributing members to our county. You’ll be reading more about both in time to come on ACJP!

Glen Maxwell (Karen T. Borchers/Mercury News)
Brenda Valencia (Karen T. Borchers/Mercury News)

Troy Davis Dies, But Will His Movement Live On?

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After a number delays, and a groundswell of support which included celebrities and national civil rights organizations, Troy Davis was executed in Georgia. Author Demone Carter wonders about future of the movement which called for his freedom, one that was widely built through social media. — Post submission by Demone Carter

Troy Davis is dead and unfortunately the passion and energy of his supporters may die with him. Continue reading →

Santa Clara County DA’s Office to Now Consider “Collateral Consequences” — Policy Shift Bodes Well for Immigrants

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Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen

As stated in a recently released document, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced they will change their policy regarding the consideration of collateral consequences (such as possible deportation consequences for a minor conviction) when negotiating plea agreements. The memo states, “It is not generally the duty of a prosecutor to mitigate the collateral consequences to a defendant of his or her crime. However, in those cases where the collateral consequences are significantly greater than the punishment for the crime itself, it is incumbent upon the prosecutor to consider and, if appropriate, take reasonable steps to mitigate those collateral consequences.”  Continue reading →

A Glimpse Into Justice: Judge Manley’s Drug Courtroom is What the Justice System Should Be

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Written by Gail Noble, ACJP Organizer
9/12/2011

The hallway was crowded with people waiting for Judge Manley’s courtroom doors to open at 9:00am. I did not know what to expect. This was my first time at Drug Court. I was there on behalf of a community member who came to ACJP who needed support.

Judge Manley began to address the court room, “I look forward to having people move on with their lives. There are eight to ten graduates this week.” He further instructed the courtroom.  “I do not want anyone laughing when a client’s case is being heard.” He also wanted everyone to clap for every client after their case is heard, even if they have failed. “I believe that they can get it right.”

As I watched Judge Manley’s courtroom operations, I could see justice playing out at its highest level. Clients looked like the weight of the world was being lifted off their shoulders. Justice was seeing them as a human being and not PFN#.

In one particular case, Judge Manley told the client to see her probation officer (PO) within the next couples of days. The client replied, “I don’t have any money, or transportation to go see my PO.” Judge Manley then said, “See your case manager. They will help assist with that.” A lady got up, and walked over, sat down beside her, and started talking with her. I guess her job was to make sure she was connected with a case manager who would assist with her financial needs.

A young man’s name was called. He stepped forward.  Judge Manley praised him for completing the program and spoke words of encouragement for his future. All of a sudden, Judge Manley got up from his chair, came down to the floor, walked up to the young man, and extended his hand to shake. They shook hands, and the Judge gave the young man a hug in the process.  I stared with amazement; everyone began clapping. I was moved by the caring and compassion that Judge Manley displayed towards the graduate and to all the other clients that followed.

Justice is not blind in Judge Manley’s courtroom.

New America Media: More Double Punishment for Immigrants with Convictions

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By Michelle Fei — The Obama administration’s Aug. 18 announcement of a new policy that purports to suspend deportations against immigrants without criminal convictions has sprouted a range of reactions from immigrant rights advocates, from full-fledged celebration to wary suspicion.

I can appreciate why some advocates are praising the announcement. First, it does seem true that the national outcry over the failure of immigration reform and the expansion of the deportation program known as “Secure Communities” – which requires police to share fingerprint data of all arrestees with federal immigration authorities — has prompted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to respond with this “new” policy. It’s worth noting, however, that advocates have long sought to get ICE to actually exercise the discretionary powers it has always held. Second, fewer deportations is certainly a good thing. To the extent that this announcement can actually help the small percentage of people who could qualify for a temporary reprieve from deportation, I share the temporary sense of relief of these immigrants. No family should know the devastation of deportation. Continue reading →