Black Sheep: Thee Inglorious Blacktree Barberia
Thee Inglorious Blacktree Barberia is giving formerly-incarcerated people, recovering drug addicts, and other struggling individuals a second chance by supporting their careers as barbers. “The guys that work here are … Continue reading
Imagining justice
Artist and activist Common held a concert in Sacramento called Imagine Justice, an event convened to speak out against mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline. Youth reporters from Sacramento’s Access … Continue reading
‘Sister Warriors’ meet in Oakland to discuss life after prison
Formerly incarcerated women shared ideas about how the prison system and other agencies — from law enforcement to child protective services — can do better with their missions to help … Continue reading
Words of incarceration: poems from #SchoolsnotPrisons Merced
Weekends spent visiting an incarcerated uncle, spiced-up ramen noodles from the jail cantina and a web search to find one’s name and a list of arrests. These moments flashed through … Continue reading
Q&A: ‘He’s Still My Super Hero’ — An Interview With My Incarcerated Father
Jeremiah Castillo, a reporter and criminal justice activist, has developed a mature understanding of why his father, whom he admires, has spent much of his childhood in prison. Himself the child … Continue reading
A child of incarceration
Having a parent in jail takes a big toll on a child. Merced resident Jeremiah Castillo reflects on the sleepless nights worrying about his father in jail and the bullying … Continue reading
‘My Voice Matters’
Many Americans believe that people with criminal convictions can’t vote in elections. But that’s not necessarily true. The American Civil Liberties Union is fighting to overturn and prevent laws designed to prevent … Continue reading
Fixing a broken foster system
Aaliyah Lannerd still remembers the day her family was broken up, as police arrested her father and separated her from her mother. Since then, she has learned first hand some … Continue reading
Pepper-sprayed in youth jail
Nationwide, it’s rare for pepper spray to be used inside juvenile facilities, but some large California counties allow the chemical to be used by guards on incarcerated minors. Alameda is one of … Continue reading
Prop 47: From second sentence to second chance
Ricky Hernandez made choices throughout his youth and early adulthood that landed him behind bars. After being released, Hernandez learned that his sentence did not end the moment he walked out through the prison gates. Then … Continue reading
