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Indybay Feature

No Way Out of the California State Prison Merry-go-round

by zRants
Interviews with prisoners and inmates illustrate a clear need for change in the California prison release program that is under consideration now. Prisons are run on fear. The gangs rule. Most inmates have no skills. They want and need education and training before they hit the streets.
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NO WAY OUT?
By David Rocha,

In 1970, California had 12 prisons and 19,500 inmates. During the next decade, these tectonic plates grated - voter outrage, parolee recidivism and a soaring crime rate. Answering the calls for a law-and-order paladin to save-the-day, George Deukmejian, ran-for and became the 35th Governor of California in 1983. In the wake of these shocks, California began to paint itself into a corner with scarlet abandon: fixed sentencing got mandated and 21 new prisons were built. In 2007, these are the results: 173,000 inmates are stuffed into 33 prisons that are built to hold one hundred thousand humans.

David Rocha went into Section A at SAC (California State Prison outside of Sacramento) to talk to inmates and guards about the control gangs have over the lives of prisoners in prison and on the streets. The inmates in Section A are “no good” former gang members who have left their gangs and are in protective custody within the prison system. Some have release dates and hope for a new crime-free life outside of jail. Is there a way out for them?

Presented by David Rocha Producer/Director and Mari Eliza, trailer editor
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Thank you Mr. Rocha for this video, although it does not represent a number of prisoners who are not racists, heavily tattooed or uneducated, it certainly shows that the root of the problems in our society are a lack of education. One thing our UNION family members do that teach racial and religious tolerance is to mail in the daily newsletter which is read by thousands of inmates. As long as they stay racially divided, we cannot achieve our goal of 6500 workers to do more lawsuits and initiative campaigns rapidly enough. The guards love it when everyone is dumbed down, hopeless and racially divided. It doesn't need to be this way. We should put our own people into office who are going to view the prisoners as more than livestock which is why we need to organize, not agonize. Breaking people in their bodies, minds and spirits benefits no one. Why do we as voters and taxpayers allow this inhumanity to continue?
by anne (liz2926 [at] hotmail.com)
everyone seems to have answer... my personal feeling... the time does not in any way or form fit the crime... and if we are stupid do we know what is one of the biggest industries in california.... CORRECTIONS... AND THE OTHER concern.. until you have some loved one doing time etc... or even an medical staff, an officer... do you even have a clue as to what actually goes on... i would hope that your loved one would be treated humanly, consistantly, and fairly... the courts already are punishing them... who gives anyone the right to mistreat yes mistreat and abuse another individual.... they have rights... until some steps up and request accountability... nothing will change.. and i pray that you never have to consider finding an attorney for a wronglful death law suit for a loved one killed in these facilities... CARMA IS A BITCH.,... THANKS FOR LISTENING
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