INSIDE NEWSLETTER Issue #9 /June 2021
In This Issue
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Letter from Sam Lewis, ARC’s Executive Director
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Policy Updates Meet Heile, Advocacy & Organizing Intern at ARC
It’s been a long, difficult year in so many ways. Though I am physically free, my heart and mind is never far from you—my extended incarcerated family. Every day we have continued to advocate for you. From policy change to soap and masks, early releases, housing, transportation, in cell study packets, programming, and making sure that the vaccine was made available to everyone inside that wants it.
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Scott Budnick’s Message Reimagining Justice in Los Angeles
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Our Community in Action
As difficult as the pandemic has been out here, I know it’s 10 times worse for you inside. I think about all of the families that have not seen their loved ones, and I know what it feels like not to see your family for months. It’s now been a year, and though it has been difficult, to say the least, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am sincerely hopeful that some level of normalcy will return in the coming months. I think much of when we return to normalcy, which depends on the vaccination, and the dropping number of COVID-19 cases.
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Through the Eyes of a Sister: Zeara
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CA Secretary of State - Prop 17 Update & Info
a letter from our Executive Director Sam Lewis Greetings To My Extended Family,
Until we do get to normalcy, we will continue to advocate for meaningful, impactful change. Always know that we are here pushing hard for you to come home. Pushing hard to make sure that the system is fair, just, and humane. I promised myself and others I walked the yard with that this would be my life’s work one day. It’s now been 9 years, and I reaffirm my commitment that I will not stop until we have a truly fair, just, and humane system. Though the current state prison population is approximately 94,000, down from approximately 174,000 in the early 2000’s, there are still too many people incarcerated. I thrived because I had support and resources. Just as I succeeded, thousands of others have succeeded because they also had support and resources. Though support and resources are vital, I believe that the most important element for successful reentry is one’s own desire to succeed and never return to the mental state that brought us to the belly of the beast. I say this to you, my extended incarcerated family, hoping that you will double down on your efforts in preparing to come home. Believe that you can achieve that which you put your mind to. I believe in you and will continue to push hard for you. Sincerely, Sam Lewis, Executive Director
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Paroling into A Pandemic: Reentry During COVID Children’s Book Submission 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.
Policy Update The Election in November of 2020 brought California further along as we continue to reform our justice system, but we know there is still much work to do. Below are the results of the justice-related ballot measures from the 2020 Election. Prop 17 was passed by millions of California voters, restoring the right to vote to 50,000 Californians on parole and ensuring that all formerly incarcerated citizens in California can now vote.
Prop 20 California voters rejected Prop 20, an initiative that would have expanded prison spending and made it more difficult to bring our people home. CA chose to value hope and rehabilitation over more prison spending and excessive punishment. We move forward in the hope to bring more of our people back from prison into freedom! Prop 25 Prop 25, which would have ended money bail in CA, didn’t pass. We will continue to fight for economic justice and equity at all levels of our systems, including pretrial detention. We are committed to removing wealth as a primary determinant of freedom. We vow to work with the CA state legislature, community-based organizations, and counties to bring people home to their families, enhance safety for all, and make a world where all can thrive. Our next newsletter edition will include all of our state legislative policy updates for 2021. You should receive that in August 2021. Stay tuned. If you have any questions or policy ideas, please continue to call and write to us. Your insight and feedback are crucial to reforming our justice system in California. You may send mail to the LA or Sacramento offices, make sure to write: C/O ARC Policy. Please be patient as it takes longer for mail to reach us as we are rarely in the office. Stay safe and healthy, we are thinking of you. Sincerely ARC Policy Team
meet heile, advocacy & organizing intern at arc Advocacy & Organizing Intern at ARC I think that I would have benefitted if I was reminded that although I am bound to face challenges, there are actual programs and organizations that only want me to thrive. There was a lot of talk before people hit the gate that was a constant dwelling on the struggles of the real world. That of all the time that we’ve spent down and away from society, we’ve been somewhat insulated from the struggles that wait for us on the streets. Although that is true, I believe that if more of our community members knew about these resources prior to hitting the gate, they’d be better prepared in times that they might feel discouraged. I was fortunate to already be in community college when I left CCTRP San Diego, and that program in itself allowed me to seek my own resources. I want to be clear, however, that the program itself did NOT suggest what I do or how to go about seeking help to transition at home. That responsibility rested on me. When I came home in September 2017, after having served 4 years on a 5 year sentence (thank goodness for Prop 57), I was not only a full-time student through the San Diego Community College District, but I already applied for transfer to California State University, Sacramento and was on my last few weeks of completing my DUI classes. Within 2 months of my homecoming, I picked up a job as a call center receptionist. I was at this same job until last July 2020. I acquired my driver’s license not too long after this, and I immediately took my recent earnings and my first-ever car (a 1989 BMW at that!) to install the court-mandated breathalyzer. Getting everything going was hard but equally exciting- I had things to call my own. Such a stark change from life on the inside. Today, I am a college graduate from CSUS with a B.S. in Nutrition and Food. I am currently a graduate student at UC Irvine pursuing a masters degree in public policy with a special focus on health equity & justice. This program has led me to obtain an internship with ARC as a policy intern, with hopes to contribute back to our FI community and increase equity and welfare for those who are reentering into our society.
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Message From ARC Founder Scott Budnick “I know it’s a brutal time right now for the men, women, and young folks in DJJ, with no visiting, no church, no college programs, and a lack of things that keep you focused. Please know the last election showed everybody that criminal justice reform is supported by over 60% of the population. We know people believe in rewarding transformation and rehabilitation. We will be working 24/7 to create more hope and make the system just, merciful, and fair. You have an army of people out here that love you and are fighting for you. Please stay focused as more people will be coming home.” -Scott
Reimagining Justice in Los Angeles County
ARC hosted a discussion between Sam Lewis and newly elected Los Angeles District Attorney (LADA) George Gascón. DA Gascón unveiled his new vision for justice in Los Angeles County that focuses on economic justice, resentencing, youth justice, and ending extreme sentencing to turn the tide on mass incarceration. Resentencing Policies: DA George Gascón is committed to reviewing sentences of people who are incarcerated and serving punishments that are no longer appropriate under current law, with priority given to the following three categories of incarcerated community members: adults, minors tried as adults, and medically compromised individuals. *Note this only applies to convictions in Los Angeles County. If you qualify, you will be notified by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, your attorney, or a nonprofit organization with the DA collaborating with you that your case is under consideration for resentencing. When there is a determination that your case is being considered, you will be notified in writing. Please be patient as it will take time and resources. *
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our community in action
In January, ARC held our annual retreat, but this time virtually due to COVID-19. We gathered as a community to share stories, uplift each other, and celebrate what brings us together during a very challenging time
On Veterans Day, ARC Sacramento staff and members wrote letters to incarcerated veterans across California. “Voting gave me the freedom to feel like part of my community. I believe that voting is my way of changing our country and helping the people who are incarcerated and do not have a voice” - ARC Life Coach Aldo Romero who voted for the first time in his life.
HART team member Mark, who had the honor of flying to Los Angeles with Fabian and Randal, who just came home from Pelican Bay stated, “There is no feeling in the world like witnessing the moment our brothers or sisters step out of incarceration and into freedom. The potential that exists in that second is limitless.”
The Ventura Training Center (VTC) serves the community of Oxnard at the annual city cleanup.
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through the eyes of a sister By Zeara Alvarez I didn’t realize the pain I hung on to so tightly — the heartache from having “lost” my brother. I was 19 when he told me he received 25 years to life, for murder. My brain couldn’t fathom the meaning of that. At all. I remember hanging up the phone from that conversation, and I don’t remember crying. All I can recall is telling myself, “he is dead to me.” We had already experienced so much pain and trauma in our lives within our family. My brother is the only sibling I grew up with. He and I spent much of our time on our own, or at least without parental supervision. As a young mother to a two-year-old daughter, I felt I had to guard my heart in order to be okay, in order to function, to work and continue to do the best I can with taking care of her. I didn’t know that pain I harbored would stay with me until it had some sort of resolve. Survival had kicked in once again. I worked very hard to change my life. I disconnected from old friends, started reading selfhelp books, attended church, went through therapy, surrounded myself with people who would challenge me to grow spiritually, mentally and as a mother. I held on to anything and anyone who was positive. All the while disconnecting from my brother who was sitting in prison being sharpened by individuals who would inevitably become his new family, other abandoned, hurt people who taught him how to become a better criminal when he went in at 22. We hardly spoke. I did what I thought was best for my daughter and me, and I cut communication from him because of choices he made that were impacting me. Unfortunately, this lasted many years. I knew I wanted to eventually help those who came out of the same or similar lifestyle as mine once was. I didn’t know what route I would take or where to begin. I started to volunteer as a gang-interventionist through my church. I mentored “at-risk” youth. I then made my way to college as a single mother of two daughters at 29 years old. Let’s just say, it was one of the scariest experiences I’ve ever had, setting foot on a college campus with such self-doubt. My anxiety was so high I cried the first time I stepped onto the campus because I was overwhelmed. Statistically speaking, going to college shouldn’t have been a part of my life plan. Many of my friends, like my brother, either ended up in prison, dead, on drugs or without the opportunity to make it out of the neighborhood. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Communication Studies. In September of 2014 I made my way to The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). That was when we opened our first housing program. I had been volunteering for two years prior to getting hired. It was quite the honor to be of service to people coming home from prison and DJJ (Division of Juvenile Justice). Little did I know, I would receive so much healing while doing this work! My brother soon ended up in the classes my colleagues facilitated inside. Between those classes, the self-help classes and college courses he began to take, he started to change. This is when the reconciliation between him and I truly began. His transformation started when hope became real to him. He witnessed the laws changing, which would impact his sentence. He couldn’t believe the shift taking place within the California prison system. I had the privilege of lobbying for SB 261, the bill that impacted him directly. I also learned I was now able to talk to him over the phone without the crazy collect call fees of the 90s. As I continued my self-help work and had the advantage of connecting with colleagues as well as members of the ARC community who had served as much time as my brother, I gained valuable insight. I committed to being a part of his change by supporting him financially and by talking to him over the phone frequently. The first two years of conversations were harsh and emotional, as I aided him in stripping away old thought patterns. There were many triggering moments and tears after hanging up in those first two years. I was dedicated! It was not easy. Our estranged relationship kept our guards high when we needed them most. It wasn’t until I decided to be vulnerable with him our walls would start to come down, one heart-to-heart at a time. Fifteen years passed before our next visit. As you can imagine, it was highly emotional. I surprised him by showing up to his ARC graduation in the visiting room. We were like giddy children when we locked eyes with one another, after having to do a double-take. I’m sure between our early twenties and our mid-forties our looks have changed – that was a trip! It was another year before I showed up to visit him again; however, we continued to work on our relationship over the phone. For some reason I was surprised by his honesty during our visits. There were some painful confessions that came forth. I vaguely remember some of the memories that pierce his heart still. He carries so much guilt. We cried, we sobbed... We held each other. I told him I needed him home — I had never said that before. Our healing journey was finally happening. There was a time he didn’t want to come home at all because he felt he didn’t have anyone to come home to. He is now preparing for his parole board hearing which will be sometime within the next year and a half or so. Zeara Alvarez is Chapter and Mentorship Program Manager at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC).
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prop 17 information from ca secretary of state
June 2, 2021 Greetings, As the California Secretary of State, it’s my job to ensure that elections are secure, fair and transparent. As someone who also cares deeply about civil rights, I want to make sure each of you understands your voting rights and that everyone who is eligible registers to vote. What’s new? As of January 1, 2021, every person serving state or federal parole for a felony conviction is eligible to vote. What does this mean? This means, once you have left custody of a state or federal prison, you can register to vote, even if you are on parole. Are there other requirements to register to vote? To register to vote in California, you must be: • A United States citizen and a resident of California, • 18 years old or older on Election Day, • Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony, and • Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court. Did you know? U.S. citizens can register to vote if serving probation or in Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), or if they have a prior conviction. How do I register to vote? Upon release from prison, you can find a voter registration card at most U.S. Post Offices and public libraries. You can call our voter hotline at 1-800-345-VOTE (8683) to have a voter register card mailed to you or register online and on your phone at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov Please call our voter hotline at 1-800-345-VOTE (8683) if you or your family have any questions about registering to vote. If anyone prevents you from registering to vote upon release, please call the hotline immediately. Sincerely,
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D. California Secretary of State
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Paroling into a Pandemic: Reentry During COVID ARC members Mariano Orosco and Sand Phan came home during COVID-19. They share what is challenging and rewarding about re-entering a changed world. My name is Mariano Orosco and I served 18 years in prison. I paroled on March 3rd, 2020. I went to transitional housing in Los Angeles. Two weeks into my stay, they shut down due to the pandemic. I was at the front desk when staff got the phone call; no one comes in and no one goes out, straight lockdown. There went my hopes of going downtown. It had felt amazing to walk around with no restrictions. The sounds, the people, all moving quickly and with purpose. When I learned of the lockdown, I did what had worked for me in prison: I stayed in my room. I would only leave the room to retrieve my meals. My wife pointed out just how unhealthy that was so I forced myself to socialize. The lockdown hindered all my plans. Everything I had put into place to ensure a smooth transition into society went out the window. Up to that point, I had not been able to receive visits and had yet to see my family. I could not get my California ID or social security card. It became an emotional roller coaster. There I was, so blessed to be free from prison but once again on lockdown with a bunch of strangers. I immediately understood that my cell phone was going to be my best friend. But I soon learned that it was also my biggest source of frustration. I did not know how to use a phone with all the gadgets, much less how to send an email or pay my phone bill or purchase things online and I was somehow expected to know these things. I cannot overstate how frustrating that was. As grateful as I am to for the housing and friends I made there (eventually), at those moments I felt alone. Maybe even abandoned. I certainly didn’t anticipate not having the resources or support that I needed in reentry. I eventually found it with ARC and the staff and members. I felt that as a direct result of the pandemic my freedom had been postponed. In parting, I would like to express that it is very important to have the ability to adapt. There was no way that I could have prepared for the pandemic, but I was able to adapt and reach out for assistance. The struggle is real, but it is very much worth it. Stay safe. Mariano Orosco My name is Sand Phan. I’m a recent parolee after serving 21 years. I was tried as an adult and convicted on 2 counts of 1st degree attempted murder, plus gang and gun enhancements and sentenced to 35 years to life in state prison. About 2 weeks after I was found suitable, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. I prepared my board packet which includes parole plans pre-pandemic. Everything that I was planning on doing had to be changed. I paroled on July 1st, 2020 in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. The next day, I checked in with my PO and transitional housing. When I got to the transitional house, they did a temperature check and asked the basic Covid-19 questions; any flu like symptoms, any cough, ever tested positive for Covid-19 before, etc. When I paroled in July, even though we were not in a pandemic, L.A. still allowed shopping and outdoor dining. You just have to wear a mask everywhere you go. And there are hand sanitizers EVERYWHERE. Everybody and every place has them. It is encouraged that you use them. Because of Covid, there are no groups/meetings to attend in person, whether at the transitional house or elsewhere. Whatever groups I did attend was through Zoom and my phone. That’s one thing I had to get familiar with because everything is done through my phone and Zoom. Other than checking in with my PO of course. That’s still in person, but socially distanced and wearing a mask. Even paroling into this pandemic with all these restrictions that come with it, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Because at the end of the day, I’m still a free man. I’d rather deal with this out here than in there. Sand H. Phan
children’s book submissions Are you interested in writing or illustrating a picture book for children? Do you already have one in the works or ideas in mind? If so, we want to hear from you. We’re interested in publishing children’s books by our community members who are incarcerated. If so, please write us to state your interest in this project and direct your message to C/O Nicholas Reiner, Children’s Books Project. We look forward to working with you!
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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 Policy Editor: Celina Chapin Staff Writer: Myles Flournoy
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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