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Demand Prison Solutions, Not More Delays

Launched: September 1, 2009

This Action Expired: September 3, 2009

Description:

On September 1, the Governor announced he would appeal the federal court ruling that requires the state to come up with a plan to reduce the number of people in prison by 44,000 over two years. Demand solutions, not more delays!

On Sept. 2, 2009, join us in urging the Governor and Attorney General to address the prison crisis and stop stalling. More delays will cost too much – in lives and dollars.

Join Our Twitter-Tack on Sept. 2

If you Tweet, say something like: “Gov & AG, it’s time to solve California’s prison overcrowding crisis. Don’t appeal the federal ruling! #myidea4ca #caprisons.”
Don’t tweet? Visit the Gov’s www.myidea4ca.com and “vote” for your friends’ tweets.

Make Two Calls on Sept. 2
1. Call the Governor at (916) 445-2841: press #1 for English (#2 para Español), then #2
2. Call the AG at (916) 322-3360: press #1 for English (#2 para Español), then #7

Sample Script: “My name is [My Name] and I live in [My City]. I am calling to urge the [Governor/Attorney General] not to appeal the federal court ruling on the prison crisis. I think it’s time for
solutions, not more delays. I strongly encourage him to submit to the court a plan that would safely reduce the prison overcrowding and overspending. Thank you.”

Join your friends at the ACLU California Affiliates, Drug Policy Alliance, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Families to Amend California Three Strikes and the CURB (Californians United
for a Responsible Budget) coalition.

For more information visit Curb Prison Spending
The federal courts have ordered California to develop a plan, by September 18, to reduce the California prison population by 44,000 over the next two years to relieve inhumane conditions caused by overcrowding. The judges found conditions in California’s prisons to be so unhealthy that prisoners’ constitutional rights are being violated, amounting to cruel and unusual punishment. And we know that the vast majority of these prisoners are Black, Latino and low-income people. The judges also assert that reducing the prison population by 44,000 will not threaten public safety. And we know that reducing the prison population WILL free up billions of dollars for real public safety: education, health care and services.