Rosario came to us at De-Bug last week for assistance regarding her son who had an immigration detainer hold at San Mateo County’s juvenile hall. We helped her create a “mitigation packet” — a package of letters, photos, and history that would be used to tell the fuller story of her son. He had already spent a good 7 months at camp, had an excellent report card, supportive probation officers, and a dedicated mom who kept every single certificate her son earned in school and at camp. In San Mateo County, Probation Chief John Keene stopped the practice of referring juveniles to ICE on a routine basis, except for ‘rare and exceptional cases’ — in which he would have the sole power of deciding whether or not to transfer a youth to ICE custody. This practice came after a four year campaign by the San Mateo County Coalition for Immigrants Rights, which De-Bug is a part of, to reverse this harsh policy. This mitigation packet was to be presented to the Chief to ask him not to enforce an ICE hold on Rosario’s son.
ACJP Original Media
AUDIO: The Life of Officer Involved Shooting Victim Andrea Naharro-Gionet
On November 16th, 2013 sixty one year old Andrea Naharro-Gionet was shot and killed by a Santa Clara County Sheriff. Often times in officer involved shootings, the public hears only about the death of the victim, but rarely do they hear about the life lost. In this interview, Andrea’s husband talks about her life, spirit, and meaning in his life. We will keep you posted on the developments of the case. (If Soundcloud embedd does not appear on screen, click link below to hear interview.)
The Untapped Movement to Challenge Mass Incarceration — By Raj Jayadev
Blanca Bosquez holds a picture of her son while at a meeting with her son’s public defender, Ross McMahon, and De-Bug organizer, Gail Noble. Photo by Charisse Domingo.
(Thanks to Equal Voice News, New America Media, Truth Out, LA Progressive, San Diego Free Press, and Life in the Law for running this piece.)
I recently received a spoken word piece called “The New Jim Crows” from an unlikely source – a public defender in North Carolina named Danny Spiegel. The title pays tribute to Michelle Alexander’s groundbreaking book: “The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.”
Spiegel’s poem is an outpouring of the heartache and frustrations of his occupation – how he is forced to bear witness to, and at times feel complicit in, the damage of mass incarceration.
Family beats a life sentence, twice.
Congrats to this ACJP family who won their loved one’s release from a life sentence after 19 years through Proposition 36 re-sentencing at the beginning of the year. Then, just weeks after his release, and his successful re-integration into the community, the DA’s office from Stanislaus County filed a motion for the court to re-consider its’ decision to release him. So despite the courts decision, the DA’s office wanted to bring this man back to prison for the rest of his life. His family and attorney made a compelling argument as to why bringing him back to prison was both unlawful and unreasonable. And so, he won his freedom, again — beating a life sentence — twice. (In photo, Mary calls family members to them them know the good news. To see more on their story click here)
After 34 Years: “I Don’t Want All That Time to Have Been for Nothing”
Some people come into our ACJP/De-Bug community right on time. The previous week of this photo family came to our meeting looking for support to guide their currently incarcerated loved one through the parole hearing process. Our families began looking for resources and strategizing. Then this week this gentlemen walks in (in photo), humbly, and says, “I got out 20 days ago from doing 34 years…I don’t want all that time to have been for nothing.” He actually won his parole from an otherwise life case due to his tremendous work inside, even starting programs in prison, but then Governor Schwarzenegger denied the parole. He won his parole again later, and it was granted by Governor Brown. He is now going to be a resource for our families who have loved ones up for parole, advising them through the process. It takes some folks a while to connect with our families, but when they do — it’s right on time. (You can see more instagram shots of De-Bug’s ACJP in action using the hashtag #debugscience and #timesaved)
Building With Boulder!
Thanks for Colorado Law School for Skype chatting with us about how De-Bug and our friends (the FIRE Coalition) were able to win the most progressive immigrant detainer policy in the nation. Hoping other communities fight ICE’s attempt to use our local courts and jails for their delivery system into deportation.
De-Bug Shares Social Biography Video Concept to Harvard Law School
Thanks to Professor Cohen and the Harvard Law School students who participated in our ACJP/De-Bug skype training on our model last week! We shared our social biography video concept, and really appreciated the insightful and illuminating dialogue with the new generation of legal eagles at Harvard. It was a late night for them to be doing the session, so appreciated their commitment, and was great being able to introduce them to our community and space at De-Bug. Looking forward to more opportunities to discuss how family, community, and innovation can transform the courts! If you’re a law school, firm, organization, or public defender office, and are interested in learning more, just send us an inquiry about trainings at svdebug@newamericamedia.org.
De-Bug Shares ACJP Model with Southern State Public Defenders at Gideon’s Promise Convening in Atlanta
We recently had the honor to join the Gideon’s Promise camp in Atlanta, and share our Social Biography Video tool, and other concepts to ensure family and community voice can be included in the court process. This school for young public defenders practicing in the South was featured last year in the HBO aired documentary Gideon’s Army. (Read Raj Jayadev’s piece about the film entitled, “Gideon’s Army Deserves Back Up.”)
Gideon’s Promise is an incredibly inspiring movement of public defender’s that is no doubt a game-changer when it comes to re-imagining indigent defense in this country. We look forward to continue to build with them! Here are a couple flix:
The keynote speaker for the graduation of the recent class of Gideon’s Promise attorneys was Anthony Graves. He did 18 years for a crime he didn’t commit, and had his execution date set twice. Since winning his freedom in 2010, he has dedicated his time to ensuring others do not fall victim to wrongful convictions. (Read the Grio’s coverage of Mr. Graves and Gideon’s Promise here.)
De-Bug’s ACJP shared examples of our Social Biography Video tool. The defender’s were very appreciative, and we are trying to identify ways we can start these in the South!
Time Saved Photo Essay: Cesar Beats Wrongful Sentence and Deportation
Cesar’s family came to De-Bug almost at their wit’s end. Their son was nearing the end of his 9 year prison sentence and was facing imminent deportation. During the 9 years, his family had searched for a lawyer, only to be told it was too complicated. However, we helped find a fierce immigration lawyer and advocate in Helen Lawrence to complete our team. “Team Cesar” — his family, church, and community support — put together an almost 200 page mitigation packet of Cesar’s life; helped find experts for his case; organized community support at hearings; conducted fundraisers for his legal defense. His entire community bonded together to help push for Cesar’s release, which resulted in a habeas release granted in criminal court, re-sentencing, and a bond hearing in immigration court that freed Cesar from almost 10 years in custody (almost 9 years in prison, and over a year in immigration detention). Click here to hear his story and see the photo essay. Photography by Charisse Domingo
Photo Chronicle of Family Bringing Brother Home After 19 Years
When Mary and her mom came to De-Bug two years ago with arms full of court files, we were struck by the determination that they walked with. Mary’s brother had been sentenced to life 19 years prior for a non-serious and non-violent crime due to Three Strikes. They came regularly to meetings, poured over the case file with other ACJP organizers, and spoke with legal experts. This week, after a long and winding road, they are bringing their brother home, after he has won his re-sentencing hearing! We would say it’s amazing, they would say they knew it all along. Think we’re both right. Here are some shots chronicling their journey. We will be airing a mini-documentary on their family as part of our Time Saved Film Series, debuting this Winter. (If you have a story you think would make for a Time Saved Film, send us an email! svdebug@newamericamedia.org
November 2012 — Mary and her mom reading about Proposition 36, finding the possible path to their brother and son’s release from a life sentence.
December 2013 — Mary going to meet with the attorney after gathering letters of support at De-Bug. To see post, click image.
December 2013 — The family right outside court at weeks before the re-sentencing hearing. This family packed the courtroom, definitely making their presence felt.
January 2014 — The moment Mary and her family have waited and worked for — when the judges orders her brother’s release after 19 years. His attorney says it was the first Prop.36 release in Stanislaus County history.
January 2014 — Mary and Blanca sitting in front of the court, sharing a moment after winning the re-sentencing hearing. These two always knew this day would come.
Albert Cobarrubias Justice Project 