During a time meant for celebration, the nearly 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. endure loneliness and separation from loved ones. Incarcerated writer Demetrius Buckley reflects on 16 holiday seasons behind bars and how moments of joy are still cultivated, even in the darkest of places.

A CalMatters investigation looks at the limitations of this model and its impact on people accused of crimes in rural parts of the state. calmatters.org/investigatio... 6/7

But flat-fee contracts for public defense has created a second-tier justice system in rural stretches of the state: Seven of the eight counties with the state’s highest jail and prison incarceration rates have flat-fee contracts. 4/7

The death penalty doesn't deter crime. FL carried out more executions than any state in 2025, but has a higher homicide rate than CA – which hasn’t executed anyone in 20 yrs. Ending the death penalty isn't just morally right, it's also safe. Time to #CommuteTheRow in CA www.npr.org/2025/12/15/n...

Our latest report outlines five public policy issues L.A. County advocates and community members tracked during L.A. D.A. Nathan Hochman’s first year in office that reveals a pattern of extreme and debunked approaches to crime, many that will increase mass incarceration. Read: aclusocal.co/48hWw5u

"There is a huge disconnect between what the public wants and what elected officials are doing." -- Robin Maher, @deathpenaltyinfo.org Executive Director. The surge was driven by Florida, which is poised to conduct 19 executions, accounting for 40% of the nation’s death sentences in 2025.

DPI Year End Report 2025: Majority of Capital Juries in 2025 Rejected Death Sentences #deathpenalty deathpenaltyinfo.org/research/ana...

In California, a correctional officer stopped at a Starbucks while driving a woman in premature labor to the hospital, she said. The baby died. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

SF supes are calling for action after Mission Local reported that women held in a San Francisco jail were allegedly mass strip searched. “These women are gonna sue,” said D7’s Myrna Melgar. “They’re going to win. We’re going to end up paying for it.” missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-s...

At least 20 women who were held in a SF jail say earlier this year deputies ordered women to strip down in front of each other while the deputies laughed and filmed them. The sheriff is looking into allegations; lawsuits could follow. via @abineely.bsky.social missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-j...

We all pay the price for police misconduct. In the case of Daniel Saldana, an innocent man spent more than 30 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit and Baldwin Park taxpayers are now on the hook for $19 million.

Recently on NPR, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office was highlighted for its groundbreaking Neurocognitive Disorders Team — one of the only units of its kind in the nation. Our NDT team works with clients whose cognitive disabilities have gone unidentified for most of their lives.

Proponents of Prop. 36 promised voters a new era of “mass treatment” for drug addiction. Unfortunately they failed to provide a funding mechanism for any of it. Now, no one is getting addiction treatment but counties like San Diego are still stuck with the bill.

In a win for justice, Tremane Wood was granted clemency today, saving his life.

"District attorneys hold immense authority in people’s lives and in a community. When that authority is exercised by someone who publicly expresses racial, religious, or gender-based bias, it endangers both individual rights and the integrity of the justice system itself.” @katechatfield.bsky.social

“I enjoy my visits with my son. He is 11 and needs to know I am safe and it’s safe to come visit me. TV only shows prison rape and violence. I don’t want him to think I am being hurt here.”

Commentary: For so long, I’ve carried the weight of knowing that my sister’s story was used to build systems that don’t work — that harm communities, that don’t make us safer and that don’t reflect what victims actually need. bit.ly/47Ak4lG 📝 Jess Nichol 📸 Nic Coury, AP

Violations of due process protections undermine the integrity of the justice system and our public safety as a whole. When people don't trust the justice system to be fair and able to uphold their rights, they are less likely to report crimes. That makes us all less safe.

New Gallup poll: Americans as a whole prefer smart on crime strategies, over tough on crime tactics 📈 Two-thirds prefer prioritizing solutions social problems over focusing on law enforcement to lower crime 📉 Support for treating juvenile offenders like adults has reached all time low

“I’ve spent years watching how survivor voices get co-opted — how our pain becomes a tool for policies that don’t serve us,” writes Jess Nichol, sister of the late Polly Klaas. But what do survivors actually want and need in the aftermath of harm? Via @calmatters.org calmatters.org/commentary/2...?

One year after Proposition 36 passed, California is seeing the opposite of what proponents promised: the measure has fueled mass incarceration while depriving people of the treatment and support they need to break cycles of harm and provide stability.

Reminder: Crime in the U.S. is at its lowest since 1961.

In California, nearly HALF of the people who had a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole were convicted of felony murder. Fortunately, #CAleg began overhauling this excessive and unfair practice starting in 2019. Reforms have allowed ~1,200 people to seek resentencing.

This 👇

By 2030, ppl over 50 will make up to 30% of the prison population. As @mkoran.bsky.social writes, states already spend 2-5x more to incarcerate ppl who are 50+. An aging population will further strain prison systems. Compassionate release eases the burden & costs www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...

Incredible reporting by @meganders.bsky.social. Diversion programs like these help address the underlying issues that lead to someone's arrest, allowing people to move forward and end costly cycles of arrest and incarceration.

The Trump administration is putting domestic violence victims at risk. We should be investing more — not less — in services that ensure their safety.

"So far, Prop. 36 has produced abysmal results on the treatment side." www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/03/p...

“Voters want less cruelty, not less accountability” The truth is that common sense safety reforms can deliver on both. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Californians deserve policies that match politicians’ promises, including effective substance use treatment that actually prevents tragic overdoses and keeps communities safe. Read more in a brand new Op-Ed, by SJCA’s Founder and Director, Anne Irwin: www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...

We traveled through Alabama with @cablackcaucus.bsky.social and @smartjusticeca.bsky.social, walking the path of truth, history, and hope. From Selma to Montgomery, every step deepened our commitment to justice. See more and learn through the link in comments. #GlideUnconditionally #JusticeInAction

Under the guise of “public safety,” Trump is weaponizing the DOJ to punish critics and chill dissent. David Huerta’s prosecution isn’t about safety – it’s about power. Standing with David means standing for workers, for immigrants, for our democracy, and for true safety and justice. #StandWithDavid

VICTORY! @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social @governor.ca.gov signed @asmmiabonta.bsky.social AB 1376 into law! Thank you to all our partners who fought to make this victory a reality! Onwards!

California lawmakers approved two of our priority bills, #AB1071 by Ash Karla and #AB1376 by @asmmiabonta.bsky.social! They’re now at the Governor’s desk, waiting for his signature!

When youth know their efforts will be recognized, they’re more likely to succeed. AB 1376 gives them that chance. #EndEndlessProbation #AB1376 @asmmiabonta.bsky.social‬ ‪@ib2real.bsky.social‬

Last week, Smart Justice CA brought together a panel of people and family members who have been through California’s parole system, to share about their experiences fighting for their freedom. Thank you to all of the panelists who shared their story, and for the legislative staffers who attended.

Research shows that what actually helps youth thrive and stay out of the justice system are: ⚽️ Pro-social activities 📚 Education support 🏡 Strong family and community ties It’s time to invest in supports that work — not punishments that don’t. #EndEndless Probation Pass #AB1376Bonta

Since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977, eight Californians have been exonerated and released from death row. All of them were men of color. @cagovernor @GavinNewsom #CommuteTheRow now. #UniversalClemencyNow #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

Deadly police use of force incidents have reached an all-time low in California, while red states are seeing an uptick. Read more about recent California laws laws to rein in police violence, and the far-reaching positive impact they're having on communities at: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Public defenders are the first and often only line of defense when people are wrongfully arrested, face life-altering immigration consequences for minor offenses... Yet California’s public defense system is woefully outdated and under-resourced. Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...

"California’s practice of “endless juvenile probation” keeps kids under supervision until they turn 18 or longer, regardless of whether they’ve changed or progressed. I was one of those kids, and it cost me everything." #EndEndlessProbation #AB1376 www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/08/o...

"It's a war on poor people." Six months after California’s #Prop36 took effect, early data shows a rise in arrests — with the law disproportionately affecting Black communities in some parts of the state. blackvoicenews.com/2025/07/08/p...

Since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977, eight Californians have been exonerated and released from death row. All of them were men of color. @cagovernor @GavinNewsom #CommuteTheRow now. #UniversalClemencyNow #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

Black men are 4x more likely to be sentenced to death in CA. It’s time to close this racist chapter in California’s history. We call on @cagovernor @GavinNewsom #CommuteTheRow and grant #UniversalClemencyNow. #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

California has the largest death row in the U.S. The death penalty has no place in any society that values fairness, justice, and human rights. We call on @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to #CommuteTheRow #UniversalClemencyNow #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

Three of our priority bills advanced out of Senate Public Safety yesterday. Thank you to our bill authors and coalition partners! #AB690 authored by @asmnickschultz.bsky.social #AB1071 authored by Assemblymember Ash Karla #AB1376 authored by @asmmiabonta.bsky.social