For a second time, speakers unanimously stated their opposition today to regulations issued by the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that categorically exclude registrants and those sentenced to life without parole from re-sentencing opportunities. Today’s hearing followed an initial hearing on May 7 during which technical difficulties that lasted for more than 20 minutes resulted in the inability of many people to speak about the regulations.
“ACSOL thanks the dozens of people who spoke in opposition to CDCR’s regulations,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “CDCR is now fully informed by written responses as well as hearing testimony that the public opposes the agency’s re-sentencing regulations.”
In addition to individuals, representatives of several civil rights organizations including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights of Oakland and the Returning Home Foundation of Laguna Beach spoke in opposition to the regulations during today’s hearing.
“CDCR’s regulations broadly exclude people based on criteria that have no relation to a person’s rehabilitation, current risk to public safety, or preparedness for release,” stated Elliot Hosman of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. “CDCR’s categorical exclusion of individuals sentenced to life without parole or convicted of a sex offense have placed unjust and unfounded limits on the laws recently passed by the legislature. They also turn a range of sentences into death sentences due to the ongoing pandemic.”
During both hearings, CDCR was put on notice that the categorical exclusions in the agency’s re-sentencing regulations repeat the same mistake that agency made in its Proposition 57 regulations. Several speakers reminded CDCR that all court challenges to the Proposition 57 regulations were successful and ended with a unanimous decision by the CA Supreme Court declaring CDCR’s regulations must be repealed because they were unconstitutional. ACSOL stated in writing and during the first hearing that CDCR’s re-sentencing regulations would be challenged in court unless the categorical exclusions of registrants and those sentenced to life without parole were not removed. Additional speakers during the second hearing also warned CDCR that the current language in the re-sentencing regulations would be litigated.
Will they listen to the voices of the people opposing what they plan on implementing? Will they do what government does best and do something regardless of the opposition? Crap like this is why I don’t trust the government. I don’t fear them I think the joke is always on them and their ignorance of reality.
It was very empowering to speak out for justice directly to CDCR! And it only took a few seconds when our turn came.
If you are feeling helpless, take the time to speak out! Take part in ACSOL’s (or your own state’s organization) action events. Start calling and writing about every bad bill in your own state. https://all4consolaws.org/how-to-search-for-bills-that-affect-you/
Go on the offensive! Show Up! Stand Up! Speak Up! It will transform your feelings into empowerment. No, the fight is never easy, buy it sure feels better than feeling like a victim.
This is Michael Pardun from Boise. Yes, this is my real name. I spoke today at the hearing for ALL of our Brothers AND sisters living with 290. I have all of you in my prayers!
You didn’t state if someone from ACSOL testified at today’s hearing.
Thank you to everyone who was able to show up and speak up today during this seemingly last-minute makeup hearing. Hopefully the California Department of Cruelty and Retribution now sees the light that we’re NOT going away.
People only see the bad things.Never the good things. You could do a million good deeds. But once you do one bad deed. You forever a outcast cause you open the door for people to judge you. So they can belittle you. Walk all over you. Make you feel subhuman. And this even after you payed your debt for the crime you did or may have never did. The register/ hit list has got to go. It put too many people/ family’s in harm’s way. If you that dangerous to be on a list. You should be in jail. Not on a list for people too look up your past. And then reshame you over and over.
Its gotta feel good to stand up and speak out for brothers and sisters in the struggle much respect to you guys I hope in 33 days people who’ve been on Megan’s law for 20-30 years can finally petition for removal.
Good luck 😈