City Government

Opinion: AB-280, the Mandela Act, Can Bring an End to Prolonged Solitary Confinement

AB-280 was conceived as a direct response to the suffering endured by men, women, individuals with mental health conditions, the disabled and even children who have been subjected to solitary confinement for days, years, and even decades.

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2023

Oakland Post

Richard Johnson, of Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back, spoke at a rally at the state Capitol about his experience in solitary confinement and his support for the Mandela Act. Photo by Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones.

By Richard Johnson

At the California State Capitol on Sept. 6, I had the privilege to advocate for AB-280, the Mandela Act, a bill aimed at putting an end to prolonged solitary confinement.

The following day, I actively participated in the “Day of Action” rally and spoke at the press conference organized by the California Mandela Coalition at California State Capital Park in Sacramento.

During my speech, I shed light on the torture and trauma of enduring solitary confinement for two decades and underscored the critical importance of passing AB-280 Mandela Act.

For those unfamiliar with the horrors of solitary confinement, it entails living in a cramped space, without windows but continuous lighting, and enduring extreme temperatures, whether excessively hot or cold.

Sometimes individuals are allowed to leave their cells for as little as 30 to 90 minutes, or sometimes not at all. It is misguided to assume that such conditions do not have a profound and detrimental impact, as prisons invariably reflect broader societal issues. I can speak to this from my own firsthand experiences which spanned years.

Being a youthful offender held in solitary confinement with nothing but one’s thoughts for solace is a daunting and challenging ordeal. The politics of prison life place everyone, both inside and outside, in constant jeopardy.

The United Nations has explicitly stated that any duration exceeding 15 days in solitary confinement constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Given this fact, one must contemplate the implications of subjecting individuals to decades of such severe treatment, regardless of the circumstances that led them to prison or solitary confinement.

Punishment then becomes torture, a blatant violation of human rights, civil rights, and, most importantly, the moral principles that deem such treatment inhumane and wrong.

Regrettably, for some, life has been reduced to the ‘politrixs’ (manipulations of politics), where the treatment of one another is dictated by those in positions of power.

It is incumbent upon us, the people, to champion a movement against cruel and unusual punishment, which amounts to torture, and make it a central focus for change and resolution.

While one person may not be able to single-handedly alter the course, a united movement undoubtedly can. It is imperative that we stand up for humanity across all strata of society, rather than allowing past progress to become mere footnotes in history.

The courts, particularly the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, have, to a large extent, failed to recognize solitary confinement as torture, thereby giving tacit approval to treating individuals as less than human.

This court ruling has paved the way for further abuse within prisons. Therefore, it is crucial that citizens urge their state representatives to implore Gov. Gavin Newsom not to veto AB-280, a bill that unambiguously defines solitary confinement and elucidates its importance as a cornerstone in how we treat everyone, whether in society or confinement.

We must set aside politics and prioritize respect for human decency, and respect for life and the treatment of fellow human beings.

With elections on the horizon, time is of the essence. We must act now before it is too late. Change is inevitable, but it is imperative that we advocate for the right kind of change.

To ignore or show apathy toward this issue would be a grave mistake, as the future hinges on the actions we take today, recognizing that tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Let our state representatives know that we are resolute about fostering change and that we cannot allow this bill to be relegated to the annals of history. Yes, we may have been knocked down, but we are not knocked out or defeated.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Post Newspaper Invites NNPA to Join Nationwide Probate Reform Initiative

The Post’s Probate Reform Group meets the first Thursday of every month via Zoom and invites the public to attend. The Post is making the initiative national and will submit information from its monthly meeting to the NNPA to educate, advocate, and inform its readers.

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Tanya Dennis

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) represents the Black press with over 200 newspapers nationwide.

Last night the Post announced that it is actively recruiting the Black press to inform the public that there is a probate “five-alarm fire” occurring in Black communities and invited every Black newspaper starting from the Birmingham Times in Alabama to the Milwaukee Times Weekly in Wisconsin, to join the Post in our “Year of Action” for probate reform.

Reporter Tanya Dennis says, “The adage that ‘When America catches a cold, Black folks catch the flu” is too true in practice; that’s why we’re engaging the Black Press to not only warn, but educate the Black community regarding the criminal actions we see in probate court: Thousands are losing generational wealth to strangers. It’s a travesty that happens daily.”

Venus Gist, a co-host of the reform group, states, “ Unfortunately, people are their own worst enemy when it comes to speaking with loved ones regarding their demise. It’s an uncomfortable subject that most avoid, but they do so at their peril. The courts rely on dissention between family members, so I encourage not only a will and trust [be created] but also videotape the reading of your documents so you can show you’re of sound mind.”

In better times, drafting a will was enough; then a trust was an added requirement to ‘iron-clad’ documents and to assure easy transference of wealth.

No longer.

As the courts became underfunded in the last 20 years, predatory behavior emerged to the extent that criminality is now occurring at alarming rates with no oversight, with courts isolating the conserved, and, I’ve heard, many times killing conservatees for profit. Plundering the assets of estates until beneficiaries are penniless is also common.”

Post Newspaper Publisher Paul Cobb says, “The simple solution is to avoid probate at all costs. If beneficiaries can’t agree, hire a private mediator and attorney to work things out. The moment you walk into court, you are vulnerable to the whims of the court. Your will and trust mean nothing.”

Zakiya Jendayi, a co-host of the Probate Reform Group and a victim herself, says, “In my case, the will and trust were clear that I am the beneficiary of the estate, but the opposing attorney said I used undue influence to make myself beneficiary. He said that without proof, and the judge upheld the attorney’s baseless assertion. In court, the will and trust is easily discounted.”

The Black press reaches out to 47 million Black Americans with one voice. The power of the press has never been so important as it is now in this national movement to save Black generational wealth from predatory attorneys, guardians and judges.

The next probate reform meeting is on March 5, from 7 – 9 p.m. PST. Zoom Details:
Meeting ID: 825 0367 1750
Passcode: 475480

All are welcome.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Community Celebrates Turner Group Construction Company as Collins Drive Becomes Turner Group Drive

The event drew family, friends, and longtime supporters of Turner Group Construction, along with a host of dignitaries. The mood was joyful and warm, filled with hugs, handshakes and belated New Year’s greetings. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a festive display of gourmet cupcakes as they conversed about the street sign reveal.

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

The Turner Construction group members.

By Carla Thomas

It was a family affair on Friday, Jan. 23, at the corner of Hegenberger Road and Collins Drive in East Oakland as community members, local leaders, and elected officials gathered to celebrate the renaming of Collins Drive to Turner Group Drive. The renaming saluted the Turner Group’s 45-plus years of economic development and community investment.

Special guests included former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, veteran broadcaster Valerie Coleman-Morris, Chevron Senior Public Affairs Representative Andrea Bailey, community leaders Cephus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson and Beatrice “Aunt Bea” Johnson of the Oscar Grant Foundation, and Oakland City Councilmembers Ken Houston, Carroll Fife, and Kevin Jenkins. Members of WEBCORE, the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), Swinerton and Alten construction companies, activists Elaine Brown and David Newton, and many others joined the celebration.

Inside the event tent, an emotional Oakland City Councilmember Ken Houston spoke of his deep connection to the Turner family.

“I grew up on the same street with the Turners,” he said. “When my father passed away, their parents and siblings embraced me like family. This is our city, and it’s an honor to name this street Turner Group Drive because of the love and effort this company and family have given. Many dreams came out of this building. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Turners.”

Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, whose father once taught the Turner brothers, added, “Len Turner is an amazing person. He’ll help anyone.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee praised the company’s legacy, noting its creation of the Construction Resource Center, which trains and mentors the next generation of builders and developers through partnerships across the region. “This is a great day for Oakland and a profound acknowledgment of the Turner Group’s contribution to our community,” she said.

Fife echoed that sentiment: “This is a day for celebrating Black excellence. The Turner Group has poured into people and the community, showing us what’s possible.”

Among the many family members in attendance was the Turners’ 92-year-old patriarch, whose presence underscored the strength of the family’s legacy.

A touching highlight of the event came when Coleman-Morris was honored for her lasting mentorship of LaTanya Hawkins, now program manager of the Construction Resource Center. In 1979, Hawkins, then a fourth-grader, wrote Coleman-Morris a letter seeking advice. Coleman responded with words of encouragement that inspired Hawkins to pursue her dreams. The two stayed in touch for decades. On stage, they embraced as Coleman reflected on “the power of small acts of kindness to change a life.”

Coleman-Morris also shared reflections on leadership and community spirit, saying, “If we change the way we look at things, the things we see will change.” She then recited the Serenity Prayer, reminding the crowd, “We are a powerful community, we just need to believe it.”

Company leaders Len and Lance Turner closed the ceremony with words of gratitude and humor. Len thanked his mother, wife, family, legal team, and longtime supporters including Carson, Geoffrey Pete, and the late Dorothy King of Everett & Jones Barbecue. He also acknowledged the challenges the company had overcome, saying, “Without all of this support, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Through Turner Group Construction and the Construction Resource Center, the Turners have created new opportunities for underrepresented groups in the construction industry and continue to inspire the next generation of builders.