CALIFORNIA
ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES
If you share our vision for a justice system that restores all those impacted by crime and incarceration, please join our growing network of advocates. Together we can inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice reform.
TAKE ACTIONWith 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.
At the insistence of Attorney General Kamala Harris, California enacted two criminal justice reform in 2016. The first, SB 1143, sought to limit the practice of placing juveniles in solitary confinement or other forms of isolation. AB 1597, the second piece of successful legislation, will assist returning neighbors in being restored to a productive position in their community by incentivizing positive behavior. Additionally, the people of California overwhelmingly supported Proposition 57 which will end the state’s policy of allowing prosecutors to determine when minors should be charged in adult court and expand parole eligibility.
WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
TELL YOUR STORY
Have you or a loved one been incarcerated in a federal prison? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.
DONATE YOUR SIGNATURE
Tell your Governor and legislators to declare April as Second Chance Month so those who have paid their debt can reach their God-given potential!
ADVOCATE
We’re seeking Justice Advocates to build relationships with their state legislators, organize events, and promote justice reform
YOUR STATE STATISTICS
97.3K Adults in Prison
4.1K Minors in Juvenile Facilities
183.3K Adults on Probation
110.3K Adults on Parole
$106.1K Cost of Incarceration Per Adult Prisoner
$290.5K Cost of Incarceration Per Juvenile
Governor: Democrat
Senate: Democrat
House: Democrat
In Session: Dec 3rd - Sep 13th
PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN CALIFORNIA
Prison Fellowship's victories in the state include working with governmental leaders in 2014 to enact Assembly Bill 1276 so that youth may be restored to their communities and live fulfilling lives. That same year, Prison Fellowship contributed to the passage of Assembly Bill 1702, which reduced barriers to reintegration for people who have paid their debt, and Assembly Bill 2520, which promotes a more constructive prison culture and requires consultation with an individual’s primary mental health professional before a parole decision is made.
Following the Supreme Court ruling in Miller v. Alabama, Prison Fellowship supported the successful passage of Senate Bill 9 in 2012 to achieve more proportional punishment by allowing those who were already sentenced to life without parole as a minor to apply for parole and resentencing in the future. We expanded on that success in 2013 by supporting the passage of Senate Bill 260, which allows the board of parole to consider the circumstances of each case when making a parole decision, including the fact that a crime occurred before an individual's 18th birthday.
In 2008, Prison Fellowship supported the passage of Senate Bill 2099 to reduce the harmful collateral consequences individuals face after leaving the prison gates.
IN THE NEWS
An Opportunity to Reflect
Prison Fellowship is working alongside lawmakers to raise up a voice for justice that restores. …Read More »For Such a Time as This: Promoting Justice That Restores
Kelly Simmons' fourth-grade teacher planted a seed in her to serve as an agent of …Read More »
SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!
Grounded in biblical values and signed by over 100 Christian leaders, the Justice Declaration is a call to the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and over-incarceration.
SIGN THE DECLARATIONRAISE YOUR VOICE
We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today.
FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES
Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!
ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT
The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!
ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE
Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.
UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES
The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.
*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.