Fighting For #Smart Solutions
EBC is part of a new coalition working to fight back against the dangerous, tough-on-crime narrative and find true alternatives for keeping our communities healthy and safe!
#SmartSolutions is an intersectional campaign to counter broader efforts to double down on criminalization and mass incarceration – which means wasting precious state resources that could be better spent on housing, health care, schools, services for victims, and programs that reduce recidivism and promote accountability beyond incarceration.
The spike in fentanyl-related deaths demands urgent government action. Postincarceration, individuals face a 40x higher risk of opioid overdose. Despite California's construction of 22 prisons since 1980, only 1 out of 10 participants have access to substance use treatment.
Join EBC and #SmartSolutions today and share this toolkit widely: bit.ly/SmartSolutionsToolkit
SPRING 2024
EBC is celebrating our 5th Anniversary in our home at Restore Oakland!
Over the past five years EBC and the organizations operating out of our shared permanent home have been deeply investing in our community, providing a safe and stable space where neighbors can come together to organize, dream, and act – together.
Here are some examples of the powerful work being done in the Restore Oakland space:
More than 60 Oakland renters call in every week to Causa Justa/Just Cause’s hotline to receive support and guidance in their struggle for equitable housing 2,000+ people gathered in mutual aid events, providing essentials to our community, such as diapers, school supplies, and food
31 new living-wage jobs filled inside the building $10M promised to BIPOC entrepreneurs
Since 2022, over 400 people each year have engaged in healing and support through a variety of programs and services
Keep an eye out for your invitation to our 5th Anniversary celebration this fall – to take in the joy of being a part of this powerful community resource.
To build towards climate resilience and sustainability, we are working to raise $5M this year to celebrate this important occasion. We are recruiting volunteers to help make it happen, from people who love planning parties to social media mavericks – we need your help!
If you would like to join or have any questions about how to help, please email EBC’s capital campaign consultant, Matthew at matthew@ellabakercenter.org.
The Affirmative Freedom Support Project
EBC has launched the Affirmative Freedom Support Fund in collaboration with Bonafide, a local group that supports people coming home from prison!
The Affirmative Freedom Support Fund aims to ease the transition home for folks not served by traditional reentry resources. The fund provides critical reentry items (hygiene items, clothes, shoes, etc.) to support the basic needs of women, trans, and non-binary folks returning home.
The fund was created by EBC MSW Intern Aldazia Green, who is dedicated to facilitating a pathway of care for folks reentering their communities. So far, the fund has provided essential resources to several individuals and has put EBC in a position to connect individuals with other essential reentry needs, including housing, employment, and transportation.
In addition to supporting people in their reentry, Aldazia visited CCWF to connect with individuals returning home soon, spread awareness of the fund, and grow our inside connections with women, trans, and non-binary people.
H e l p u s m e e t o u r g o a l . O n l y $ 5 0 0 a w a y !
POLICY UPDATES SPRING 2024
POLICY UPDATES
AB 2065 (Kalra) Racial Justice Act Offender Data
This bill will require the Department of Justice to release county-level criminal legal data and increase access to police and probation reports to support RJA claims better.
In addition to the bill, we are working through the budget to secure funding for implementing AB 2418 (Kalra) and the J-DATA program, improving prosecutorial accountability and increasing transparency in sentencing and charging data.
AB 2418 (Kalra) Justice Data Accountability and Transparency Act
AB 2418 would enhance transparency and accountability in criminal prosecutions by requiring district attorneys to collect and report data about their cases – such as demographic information about the defendant and victim, charging information, plea offers, and case disposition.
The Department of Justice will mandate the District Attorneys’ data collection and reports containing the basic case information to examine sentencing and charging disparities.
AB 2310 (Hart) Parole Reform Language Access
This bill aims to enhance interpreter training and improve access to interpretation services during parole board proceedings.
Additionally, it seeks to provide translations of crucial parole board documents, such as Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Hearing Transcripts, in up to 15 languages for individuals whose primary language is not English.
Meet our 2024 Inside/Outside Fellows!
Tony Tafoya (He/ They)
As the Inside Managing Producer of the award-winning podcast Ear Hustle, he illuminates the experiences of systems impacted people, aiming to humanize all individuals. A detail-orientated paralegal and proud LGBTQ+ member, they are committed to educating, empowering, and raising up marginalized peoples in order to help repair the world.
Barbara Chavez (She/ Her)
Her advocacy journey stems from personal experiences of injustice and a firm belief in the potential for change. Having spent two decades incarcerated, she emerged with a fervent commitment to reform the criminal justice system, particularly in ending Life without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) sentencing.
Kenthy K.
Porter (He/ Him)
Kenthy is a criminal justice reform advocate and Inside Community Organizer As an inside organizer he has worked to advance a culture of civic engagement and activism at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison In 2023, he co-founded Democracy Beyond Bars, an inside group dedicated to engaging incarcerated individuals in public policy writing and advocacy.
Be a part of Prison Mail Night!
Join us for our upcoming Virtual Prison Mail Night on May 9th, from 5:30-7:30 PM PT. In the last three months, we have sent updated Racial Justice Act toolkits to over 580 community members!
We have shifted to quarterly mail nights to be held in May, August, and November on the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 - 7:30 PM PT Our next In-Person Mail Night is April 24th, from 9:30 - 12:00 PM PT to be held on the last Wednesday of every month. You can also coordinate a visit to Restore Oakland to pick up mail packets to be completed and mailed from home
Please RSVP by emailing our team at policy@ellabakercenter.org.
Join our 2024 Stamps Campaign!
Each spring, EBC’s Stamps Campaign reminds us that maintaining connections and building community across walls drives our collective work toward liberation. Our Stamps Campaign begins April, 8 , 2024
Beyond a symbol of the generosity of those inside, stamps symbolize hope, resilience, and mutual care. Stamps amplify the voices, struggles, and humanity of those incarcerated, fostering connection and visibility to the world When people inside are able to get their vision out, it gives our movement power the power to advocate for change, demand justice, and uphold the dignity of every individual.
Donation Link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ebcstamps24
SUSTAIN AMPLIFY ACTIVATE
Take action to urge the Governor to name more prisons for closure!
Check out the #CloseCAPrisons Toolkit and take action today! Urge Governor Newsom to commit to getting 10 prisons announced for closure by 2025! Findings from our #Hidden Hazards report inform our stance due to #Climate Hazards in or near prisons.
Call & email the Governor’s administration to name 5 more prisons for closure between now and the January 2024-25 proposed state budget 1. Tweet your support for prison closure & share this action with 3 friends 2. Follow @curbprisons on social media for updates on future actions & to stay in the loop with all things prison closure 3
Toolkit link: bit.ly/PCTOOLKIT, & ellabakercenter.org/reports/hiddenhazards/
