INSIDE NEWSLETTER
Issue #11 /December 2021
a letter from our Executive Director Sam Lewis
Greetings to our Currently Incarcerated Brothers and Sisters, As I write this letter sitting at home I reflect back to the 20+ holidays that I sat inside. I know how difficult it can be, and I want each of you that reads this letter to know that you are always thought of. I want you to know that we at ARC continue to work tirelessly to bring you home. A day does not go by when I am not thinking about all of you. I truly believe that each and every one of you will have the opportunity to come home. Of course, that requires that you do the work. Look within, and work towards becoming the best version of yourself. This is important not only to gain release but to remain free forever. As a former lifer, I know it’s not easy. I know that at times it seems like the system is against you. I also know that each of us are the master of our destiny. Believe that, and work towards making all of your dreams a reality. Believing is where I started….. I believe in you. I need you to believe in yourself! Happy Holidays Family, With Love, Sam Lewis, Executive Director
In This Issue
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Letter from Sam Lewis, ARC’s Executive Director
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2022 State Policy Priorities
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Play For Justice in Indiana
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DC Advocacy Trip First Time Voters
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Our Community in Action
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Free World: A Look Behind the Scenes Women’s Walk
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Free Banking and Employment Services Inside Voices
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Stay Connected
SAM LEWIS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITION (ARC). A FORMER LIFE PRISONER, SAM UNDERSTANDS THE VARIOUS OBSTACLES THE PRISON AND REENTRY POPULATIONS FACE. IN 2017, SAM CREATED THE HOPE AND REDEMPTION TEAM (HART), A GROUP OF NINE FORMER CALIFORNIA LIFE PRISONERS WHO GO BACK INTO CALIFORNIA STATE PRISONS TO PROVIDE HOPE, DEMONSTRATE THAT REDEMPTION IS ACHIEVABLE, AND TO PREPARE PARTICIPANTS FOR SUCCESSFUL REENTRY INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.
2022 State Policy Priorities ARC and our partners continue to advocate for you and are working to pass key pieces of legislation. Learn about our important State Policy updates below!
2022 State Policy Priorities
Family Unity Bill: This bill seeks to strengthen visiting rights to support the emotional health of Californians and their incarcerated loved ones and to improve incustody conduct, and reduce recidivism
We’re excited to announce our state policy priorities for 2022! ARC and our partners continue to advocate for legislation that brings dignity and hope to our incarcerated community, peels away harsh sentencing laws, and provides opportunities for formerly incarcerated people to achieve their goals upon reentry. The following legislative priorities will carry over into the second half of California’s two-year session into 2022.
Status: This bill was vetoed by the Governor in 2021. We are going to bring AB 990 back in a different form and are committed to expanding visitation for incarcerated people and their loved ones
ACA 3 (Kamlager) Ending Involuntary Servitude - The California Abolition Act: The Constitution of California prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude “except to punish crime.” ACA 3, the California Abolition Act, would amend the California Constitution to remove such conditional language, abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude without exception. Status: This Constitutional Amendment is currently on the Assembly floor. This requires a 2/3 vote, and if it passes the California legislature, it will head to the 2022 November ballot for CA voters to decide. SB 262 (Hertzberg) - The Safe and Resilient Communities Act: Creates a more fair pretrial justice system in California by: 1) requiring the Judicial Council to establish a statewide bail schedule after soliciting input from stakeholders and experts; 2) codifying and expanding upon a recent California Supreme Court decision to ensure the accused do not remain in custody simply because they cannot afford to pay bail; 3) ensuring the accused do not assume any costs of court-imposed release conditions; and, 4) requiring bail companies to refund a portion of the premiums they receive from defendants who aren’t charged, have their case dismissed, or make all of their required court appearances.
Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP): We continue to push against the application of extreme sentencing, central to which is the use of Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP), which sentences people to die in prison without hope of eventual release. This year, we introduced a two-year bill, SB 481(Durazo), which would retroactively provide the opportunity for a second chance for those who committed their offense under the age of 26 and were sentenced to LWOP. We are also working with partners on SB 300 (Cortese), a two-year bill which would remove felony murder from the list of special circumstances that can elevate one’s sentence to LWOP and provide the judge the ability to dismiss a special circumstance after one has spent many years incarcerated (Unfortunately SB 300 is not retroactive). AB 1127 (Santiago & Quirk) – Juvenile Three Strike Reform: This bill would eliminate strikes committed as a juvenile from being used to enhance future adult felonies. This bill would also allow people to petition for resentencing if their prior juvenile adjudication was used to enhance an adult felony conviction. Status: This bill is currently in the Assembly and requires a 2/3 vote from the CA Senate and Assembly
Status: This bill has passed the Senate and is currently in the Assembly awaiting a floor vote. SB 731 (Durazo): Sealing Old Convictions: This bill seeks to sunset criminal convictions and proposes expanding record sealing to all sentences following completion of terms of incarceration, post-release supervision, and an additional period of time - provided the person has completed their sentence without any new felony convictions and has no new charges pending. Status: This bill has passed the Senate and is currently in the Assembly, awaiting a floor vote.
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We are committed to advancing these bills forward but know we have a challenging year ahead of us. We need your help more than ever to enact these critical legislative changes. Your insight and willingness to educate and mobilize your loved ones on these issues are crucial to changing our criminal justice system in California. If you have any questions or policy ideas, please continue to call and write to us. You may send mail to the LA or Sacramento offices. Make sure to write: C/O ARC Policy.
Play For Justice in Indiana ARC traveled to Indiana for a day of inspiration, basketball, and with the incarcerated community at IDOC Putnam Correctional Facility. This event was in partnership with the Indiana Pacers, Represent Justice, Plus One Society, Last Mile, and our incarcerated community members. Members of the Pacers and our incarcerated community members were able to play an uplifting basketball game, which gave everyone a sense of brotherhood. Incarcerated people shared their stories in order to enlighten the broader community, uplift their voices, and build community. We are so happy to be a part of this narrative change!
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DC Advocacy Trip ARC staff and members traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for the passage of bipartisan legislation to treat children like children in the Federal criminal legal system. The event came after the introduction of Congressman Cárdenas’s commemorative Resolution recognizing October as Youth Justice Action Month.
First Time Voters
Because of the passage of Proposition 17, many in our community voter for the first time. Mark and Jeremy share what it was like to have a say in our democracy. “For the first time in my life, I feel like I have a voice because, for the first time in my life, I was able to exercise my right to vote. I will vote in every local, state, and federal election because I have a deep appreciation for what is at stake. We, the people, can overcome any national challenge we face if we, the people, exercise our right to vote and steer our country in the right direction.” - ARC Life Coach Mark Taylor
“When I was inside, I knew because of my record I wouldn’t be able to vote. I couldn’t speak up for myself. Now that I can vote because of Prop 17, I can help my community by voting. Now I’m part of the community, and I finally have a say.” - ARC member Jeremy 4
our community in action
Welcome home Kadumu Griffin from Pelican Bay State Prison!
ARC Youth Leaders gathered at our office to reimagine the youth justice system through the expertise of their lived experience.
ARC members write holiday cards to all our loved ones behind the walls. Know we are constantly thinking of you, as we send messages of love and hope to you.
The ARC community showed up in full force at SoFi Stadium in support of housing, education, and opportunity for all.
We gathered together at our Magnolia housing site to build a community garden. We collaborated with the Netflix show, On My Block. We felt such energy, love, and community that day and got our hands dirty in the soil.
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Free world: A Look Behind the Scenes
Meet Rose and Alyssa, who are the producers of Free World, which is a podcast about women reconstructing their lives after incarceration. Rose and Alyssa are formerly incarcerated women who are leaders behind the scenes of the show. Rose helps with outreach to other formerly incarcerated women to appear on the show. Alyssa uses her sound design skills to edit and mix the episodes together. We are proud to be supported by two talented and amazing women. Remember, have your loved ones listen to Free World on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please listen, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review. Thank you!
women’s walk
ARC women spend the afternoon on Olvera Street in Los Angeles as we celebrate our freedom.
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inside voices We are featuring writing, creativity, and inspiration from people who are currently incarcerated. We are proud to lift up the words and thoughts of people who are currently incarcerated. To submit, please see the guidelines on the back page.
Master’s Degree On The Line By Dortel Williams, #H45771, who is incarcerated at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison Earning a degree is the best feeling in the world! I started my academic journey with a paralegal certificate from Blackstone School of Law. That achievement came with a lot of encouragement to boost my low self-esteem. I ended up completing the course with honors, which lifted my sense of worth and ability. I felt a bigger boost in confidence when I later earned my AA degree in Social and Behavior Sciences from Coastline Community College. This time I earned a Letter of High Achievement from the dean! These achievements countered a childhood of being labeled, “slow”, “retarded”, or “stupid” by caretakers. I’ve since learned I was none of these, but simply distracted by the trauma I was experiencing at home. When I went for my BA in Communications studies, from Cal State University, Los Angeles, I knew I could do it; I had no doubt. I knew I was just as capable as the next person, and that I could surmount any obstacle set before me. And again, I earned my degree with honors! If you’re anything like me, I assure you, that you can do the same thing!
Free Banking & Employment Services Finding employment and opening a new bank account is an important part of reentry, yet we know it can be difficult to do it on your own. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Stretch to offer free bank accounts and job search services. When you join Stretch you get a free bank account that comes with a Mastercard® debit card, which you can use for everyday spending. You’ll also get a current list of nearby jobs from employers who accept your unique conviction history. This saves you time by applying to the right employers who can actually hire you. Joining Stretch has no impact on your credit and your past banking history is not considered. It’s truly a fresh start to banking again. Please write to ARC with ATTN: Stretch if you are interested, and we will provide you with more details.
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Anti-Recidivism Coalition 1320 E. 7th Street Suite 260 Los Angeles, CA 90021
Founded in 2013, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) works to end mass incarceration in California. To ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and whole, ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Through our grassroots policy advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people.
Masthead Executive Director: Sam Lewis Associate Director of Inside Programs: Jacob Brevard Deputy Director: Bikila Ochoa
Our supportive services – which include case management, trauma-informed counseling, housing, education, employment training, and mentorship – ensure that those returning home are given the best chance to be healthy, whole members of their communities. Our programs, correspondence, and legislative work on behalf of currently incarcerated people create hope and a pathway to freedom for many who never thought freedom possible.
Inside Newsletter Editor-in-Chief: Nicholas Reiner Deputy Editor: Josh Pynoos Design Editor: John Dich Women’s Update Editor: Norma Cumpian Operations: Oscar Bonilla
Write to the Anti-Recidivism Coalition Los Angeles: Anti-Recidivism Coalition, 1320 E. 7th Street Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Sacramento: Anti-Recidivism Coalition, 2830 G Street, Suite 210, Sacramento, CA 95816 During this pandemic, we want to hear from you, and know what life is like, so we can help amplify your voices and the current state of life inside prison. Please write to us and tell us what needs to be done to keep you healthy and safe. Please write to us at ATTN: #COVID-19 Submission, 1320 E. 7th Street, Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90021 If you write ARC a letter, please include some general information that will assist us in determining how to best serve you, and that will aid ARC with their advocacy efforts. Please answer the following questions: • • •
Are you serving a determinate sentence, serving a life sentence, or a life without the possibility of parole sentence? Are you returning home due to SB 394, SB260, SB261, AB 1308, SB 1391, SB 1437, AB 965 or Prop. 57? Have you had a suitability hearing? If so, how many have you had?
Also please keep ARC updated if you happen to transfer out of your current institution. This will ensure you continue to receive the ARC quarterly newsletter.
Submit to our Newsletter! We want you to contribute to our next newsletter and submissions are now open! Tell us what inspires you, what your goals are, what gives you hope, or anything you would like to share with our community! Feel free to also write your commentary on public life or what’s happening in the world at large. Please write to us at ATTN: Newsletter Submission, 1320 E. 7th Street, Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90021. Write the name you would like to be published under. Submissions may also be posted on the ARC website. Please note that your submission is not guaranteed publication. We look forward to reading your work!
Support Letters for Board Please be aware that it takes at least a month for us to have a support letter ready for the board. Help us help you and write to us within 3 months of your board date. We want you home!! Thank you, ARC Staff
Learn How You and Your Family Can Get Involved The bills that ARC and other community-based groups throughout California are supporting this year are significant in that they help provide many of you with chances to return to your families, remove barriers to your employment once you return home, and ensure that young people never enter the juvenile / criminal justice systems. California legislators need to know that these bills are extremely important to their constituents. One of the ways that you can help these bills become reality is to encourage your families to contact their representatives and voice their support. They can find out who their representatives are by using the following website: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Once they find out who their representatives are, they simply have to contact them and voice their support. Your family members, loved ones and friends can contact their representatives through phone calls and social media, as well. Please encourage your friends and loved ones today!
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