Disability Rights California’s Post

Listen and listen well. The only way to change the system we must infiltrate it

Today’s quote from “Stolen Freedom,” written by Morning Star Gali, a California-based Indigenous organizer, reminds us of the importance of restorative justice beyond the limiting and oppressive ideologies of settler colonialism. Gali’s political organizing work has manifested into large-scale actions for Indigenous sovereignty, climate justice, gender justice, and support for incarcerated Indigenous communities in California. As part of Kolin Kaepernick’s book, Abolition for the People: The Movement for a Future without Policing & Prisons, “Stolen Freedom” addresses the ongoing imprisoning and disenfranchisement of Native people and the resilient action of Indigenous community leaders to protect each other. Through Gali’s quote, we consider new ways to model repair through the practices of Indigenous peoples. In our work, we are grounded in a culture of care and a deep responsibility to our community. At The LP, we often consider these questions as we practice resilience: How can community care and repair exist outside of a discriminatory justice system? How can we heal together? Reflect and share: How does community repair show up in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more insights from our LP Library! #ReadRestandReflect #TheLPLibrary

Another paper out today! Senior author Robbie M Parks, Victoria Lynch, Raenita Spriggs, Yoonjung Ahn, Colin Raymond and I assessed how heat exposure is changing for the 2 million incarcerated people in the USA. Link: https://lnkd.in/ghf2vtcH We find that for nearly 2,000 incarceration facilities, the frequency of dangerous heat events has increased since the 1980s and that Florida and Texas are hot spots for exposure. Our hope is that this top-down research can help bottom up policies to reduce harm from extreme heat for vulnerable populations who have little agency, like incarcerated people in the USA.

#PRISONS #PRISONREFORM #NelsonMandelaDay Highlighting this fact sheet/overview of my report on best state practice in prison management, which I presented to the 55th session of the Human Rights Council earlier in the year. I emphasized the urgent need for reform to combat torture and inhumane conditions in many countries, and highlighted: · Strategies for addressing overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and other pressing issues · The importance of transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure humane treatment of inmates · A focus on the needs of vulnerable populations · Recommendations for the management of shocks caused by the climate crisis or pandemics This summary also contains the key findings from my report on my visit to Ukraine in 2023. Please do use this document in your advocacy and share it widely. https://lnkd.in/dFG9Z7W2 #HumanRights #TorturePrevention #PrisonReform #UNHumanRightsCouncil #prisonerrights

Our new report investigating political imprisonment & restrictions on civic participation (i.e. "civil death") offers key recommendations on how to counter authoritarianism, support advocates of democratic change, & address future repression. See our full analysis: https://lnkd.in/gr-kMMYw

Community service is a transformative tool for reducing recidivism, particularly in the context of Australian criminal justice systems. Integrating community service into the criminal justice system is based on restorative justice principles and the economic principle of incentivizing positive behaviour. Engaging individuals in community service fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, essential elements in personal rehabilitation. Traditionally, community service has been viewed as a form of punishment, but a more nuanced perspective reveals it as an opportunity for offenders to contribute positively to society, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability. In Australia, initiatives like the Community Service Order (CSO) program in New South Wales and Victoria's Community Correctional Services have shown positive results in reducing reoffending rates. Community service also provides an opportunity for offenders to develop empathy and understand the impact of their actions, bridging the gap between offenders and the community. Economically, community service presents a cost-effective alternative to incarceration, offering greater returns in terms of reducing reoffending and fostering social cohesion. Community service emerges as an effective tool for reducing recidivism by providing a structured environment for offenders to contribute positively to society. The Australian experience serves as a testament to the potential of community service to transform lives and enhance public safety. The biggest opposition to these programs has not been victim advocate groups, but the NGOs and organisations that rely on the proliferation of crime and pain in our communities for profit. Crime and criminal behaviour feed industries that often lobby against policies and programs that actually work. #crime #security #accountability #incarceration #debttosociety #paythedebt #communityservice #rehabilitation #creatingcontrition

Evidence is clear.

📢 Out now! We're pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report, offering a thorough look at our global impact on justice reform last year. This report gives an overview of our work and achievements as we completed the final phase of our 2020-2023 strategy, navigating through multiple global challenges. Key initiatives include: 🔴 gender-specific justice reforms,   🔴 child protection in detention,  🔴 reducing reliance on imprisonment and   🔴 response to Global Crises. Learn more about our: 🔵 global partnerships,   🔵 financial summaries and  🔵 strategic goals for the future. ➡ Download the report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eaR_cKd8 #JusticeReform #HumanRights #PenalReform #AnnualReport  

This important new briefing by Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) sets the #youthjustice agenda for the new govt: to safeguard & support, end racial injustice & ensure custody is a last resort Its recommendations include investing in preventative services and partnerships, embedding child-centred policing, and enhancing diversion. Read it in full here https://bit.ly/3XHt1ot

Here's a useful guide for employers on how to support staff/communities affected by the recent racist violence. https://shorturl.at/8ppkn #antiracism