ACTION ALERT - Send Support Letters for AB958 by Tomorrow 6/20

Heidi • June 19, 2023

Support Letters sought in advance of AB958 hearing in Senate Public Safety Committee

Felony Murder Elimination Project is filled with gratitude to support Assembly Bill 958 (Miguel Santiago-D54), which seeks to restore the right to visit for incarcerated persons and their families by making visits a limited civil right. AB958 passed the California Assembly last month (52Y, 15N), and the next step is hearing the bill in front of the California Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, June 27th.

Restoring visiting as a right would strengthen family connections and create a strong support system after release. These changes can save a significant amount of money for taxpayers by reducing recidivism (avoiding costly reincarceration), improving in-custody conduct (reducing disciplinary and security costs in prisons), and supporting healthy development of children with incarcerated parents (lowering social service spending). Strong family connections can reduce intergenerational cycles of incarceration and create healthier and safer communities throughout California.

In advance of the hearing next Tuesday, we humbly ask our supporters to show their continued support for this bill by submitting a letter of support for the bill as soon as possible. Deadline for TOMORROW, June 20th. Edit and upload the template support letter (links below) either for yourself or on behalf of your organization through the Advocacy Portal at this link - Advocates Support Letter Portal.

Links:

Individual support letter template

Organizational support letter template

AB958 Fact Sheet

AB958 Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions at all or are having issues submitting your support letters, please reach out to our here at our email OR contact us on any of our social media handles (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).

NOTE - after you've submitted your support letters for AB958 (thank you in advance), keep those uploading talents handy. We'll be calling for Support Letters for SB94 in the next few days!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

Incarcerated Firefighters during the January 2025 Southern California wildfires (Photo: Getty Images

Prison Labor for Private Profit at the Expense of the Climate

By Heidi • May 1, 2025

Almost 600 US federal and state prisons are located within three miles of EPA Superfund Sites. As such, incarcerated people are often assigned to work for the industries that fuel climate change, performing hazardous work with little to no training while earning slave wages.

Graphic: Stop killing veterans! Save Jeffrey Hutchinson - take action bit.ly/Jeffrey Hutchinson

Help Stop the Execution of Jeffrey Hutchinson in Florida

By Heidi • April 30, 2025

Tomorrow, Florida is set to carry out the state-sanctioned murder of mentally ill Gulf War veteran Jeffrey Hutchinson. We call on our supporters to voice their opposition and take action to stop this cruel and unjust punishment.

Participants in Minnesota’s first prison chess tournament at MCF-Stillwater (Kerem Yücel /MPR News)

Minnesota Prison Holds First in the State Chess Tournament

By Heidi • April 29, 2025

Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater hosted an official chess tournament in mid-April, taking a pastime - and a way to pass time - for many incarcerated persons, and allowing them to play the game in a formal competition.

two persons holding a banner protesting solitary confinement (Photo: Solitary Watch)

Solitary Watch - When Freedom Still Feels Like Prison

By Heidi • April 25, 2025

Prolonged solitary confinement isolation destroys a person’s personality and their mental health and effects may last long after the end of the period of segregation. Solitary Watch spoke to formerly incarcerated people who spent extended time in solitary confinement about life after release.

New Hampshire Statehouse in Concord, NH (AP file photo)

New Hampshire Considers Legislation to Expand Wrongful Conviction Parameters

By Heidi • April 23, 2025

In New Hampshire, there is a strict three-year deadline to file a motion for a new trial, regardless when new exonerating evidence is discovered. Senate Bill 141 would create room for exceptions and allow the wrongfully convicted to file a motion after three years if there is newly discovered evidence.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch (Photo: Dale G. Young, The Detroit News)

Michigan Supreme Court Rules LWOP Unconstitutional for 19-20 Year Olds

By Heidi • April 22, 2025

Last Thursday, the Michigan Supreme Court struck down automatic, LWOP sentences for 19 and 20-year-olds convicted of murder. As a result, hundreds of people will be eligible for resentencing opportunities.

Civil Rights Attorney & Author Alec Karakatsanis (Photo: University of Texas School of Law)

Q&A with Alec Karakatsanis, Author of Copaganda

By Heidi • April 21, 2025

Civil Rights Attorney Alex Karakatsanis' newest book Copaganda discusses how media coverage manipulates public perception, fueling fear and inequality, and distracts from what matters; affordable housing, adequate healthcare, early childhood education, and climate-friendly city planning.

Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla CA (Photo: Tomas Ovalle, Fresno Bee)