News
New Law Ends Long-Term Isolation of Youth in State Juvenile Facilities
Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation this week limiting the use of room confinement of youth in California’s juvenile facilities.
The landmark bill was authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and championed by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC), and youth, faith and human rights advocates.
“Young people who receive treatment instead of prolonged isolation have a better chance of becoming productive members of society,” said Senator Mark Leno. “The passage of this bill ensures that youth get the educational and rehabilitative opportunities they need to come home with the best chance of success in life.”
The bill’s success in passing both the Senate and Assembly with strong bi-partisan support and reaching the Governor’s desk was the result of partnership between the association representing county probation chiefs and juvenile justice advocates who, after years of disagreement, achieved consensus to create safer facilities for youth and facility staff throughout the state.
“This bill has been years in the making, and is a huge victory for all of the young people locked up in California and their families,” said Jennifer Kim, Director of Programs at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. “By signing this bill into law, Governor Brown has demonstrated his commitment to protecting the human rights and dignity of young people, who are some of the most vulnerable people behind bars.”
The legislation builds on growing national momentum to limit the long-term isolation of youth. By enacting this bill, California has established model standards to limit the use of room confinement and can lead states across the country to prioritize the health, safety, and rehabilitation of youth in detention.
“This is an important day for juvenile justice in California,” said Chief Mark Bonini, President of the Chief Probation Officers of California. “This bill focuses on what probation departments throughout the state hold as critically important – a focus on evidence-based practices and rehabilitation, and procedures to help ensure the safety and security of youth and staff. We thank Senator Leno, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and all the co-sponsors for the collaborative work on this important issue.”
The will provide a uniform definition of “room confinement” as the placement of a youth in a sleeping room or cell alone with minimal contact from facility staff and limits the practice to 4 hours generally. In addition, the bill requires that room confinement shall only be used after all less restrictive options have been exhausted and that it cannot be used to the extent that it compromises the mental and physical health of the person.
“Young people across the state who are and were incarcerated have been calling for an end to long-term isolation for years,” said Kim McGill, an organizer with Youth Justice Coalition. “It is partly thanks to their powerful organizing that young people in juvenile facilities now have a much better chance at protecting their safety and dignity while in custody as well as improving their outcomes once they return home.”
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
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California Black Media
Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather
In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.
By California Black Media
In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.
The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.
“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.
The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.
Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”
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