In June 2020, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCr) announced that they would award 12 weeks of time-off credits to the incarcerated individuals within it’s system. The exceptions were those serving life without possibility of parole, those sentenced to death and those found guilty of a rules violation. CDCr stayed that the incarcerated population earned the time off, “By practicing positive behavior throughout this time of suspended visits, program modifications, staffing shortages, and service impacts”

The hardships brought on by the pandemic and quarantines continue. Rehabilitative and educational programs that allow incarcerated individuals to earn time off have been suspended. Visiting has been suspended and CDCr has not implemented video visiting in adult facilities. A short phone call can cost $4. Imagine being laid off and spending $4 to talk to talk to a family member you haven’t seen in months! Transfers to other facilities have been suspended so inmates cannot start training programs that could get them time off. 

CDCr claims that these are safety measures to protect against infections but was widely criticized for causing a wide outbreak at San Quentin Prison when they transferred individuals from another facility without testing them. Other reports from inside tell of lack of sanitation, incarcerated people being provided with thick masks, staff refusing to wear masks, and sick people put in solitary or left in the dorm to infect others before they pass. 

Given this information, I’m sure you’ll agree that the least CDCr can do is award another 12 weeks time off for each quarter that incarcerated individuals miss out on the opportunity to earn good conduct credits. 

Please, sign, share, and call Secretary Allison to show your support.