ACTION ALERT - AB 2959 in CA Senate Appropriations Thursday!
Bill looks to reduce markups on items sold in CDCR prison visiting room vending machines
Assembly Bill 2959 - Prioritize Families Over Profits, sponsored by Assemblyperson Liz Ortega (D-20), is scheduled to be heard on Thursday August 15, 2024 in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Felony Murder Elimination Project, as a member of the The Coalition for Family Unity, is asking our supporters and advocates to voice their support for this important legislation.
AB 2959 seeks to reduce and regulate food prices in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) visiting rooms, require CDCR to renew and expand vendor contracts to include healthy options, and offer diverse food choices in prison vending machines. The bill also ensures State Prisons and each vendor are abiding by necessary regulations, preventing vendors from serving and or providing spoiled food products to the incarcerated population and their families.
The legislation will enhance fairness, affordability, quality and dignity for families of incarcerated persons.
When a loved one is incarcerated, their families are allowed to visit them in person for 2-6 hours up to three times a week (Friday to Sunday). During these visits, families can bring up to $70 per adult and $40 per child to buy snacks and food items. The cost of these food items can be as much as $15 for a single item on a regular visiting day, and up to $35 for a single food item during the holidays.
Along with the elevated cost of food items, families face a limited selection of items, and little to no healthy options are available. In addition, prices constantly increase and food offered in vending machines is often spoiled due to not being stored at proper temperatures. This can run the risk of food poisoning and/or other food borne illnesses.
We humbly ask that our supporters submit a letter of support as soon as possible, ideally today, so it can be presented at the committee hearing on Thursday. To obtain a template you can use, please email Sandra Suares at sandra.jessesplace@gmail.com
You can also read up on AB 2959 using the AB 2959 Fact Sheet. We also hope our supporters can share this on social media networks to show your support for AB 2959; you can use the graphic included in this blog post.
You'd think it goes without saying, but it bears repeating; the families and friends visiting their incarcerated loved ones shouldn't be subjected to price gouging or, worse, potential foodborne illnesses due to spoiled food offered at CDCR facilities. We hope you can use your tried and true advocacy efforts to bring this impactful, common-sense legislation through the legislative process and become law in California. As always, thank you, thank you for your hard work and tireless voices.
