Prisons

Cal Poly Humboldt’s bachelor’s program offers new opportunity to people incarcerated at maximum-security Pelican Bay State Prison

Other states, including Nevada, are deleting references to slavery in their constitutions and banning forced prison labor. California voters rejected that path when they turned down Prop. 6.

Californians overwhelmingly backed Prop. 36 to lengthen criminal sentences for certain theft and drug offenses, and to direct more people to drug treatment after convictions. Voters’ views changed on public safety after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The California Constitution permits involuntary servitude as criminal punishment, a practice that advocates liken to slavery. Prop. 6 would repeal that language and allow incarcerated people to prioritize rehabilitation.

Rather than fire him, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation demoted a high-ranking official who allegedly sexually harassed a subordinate.

Supporters of a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons believe they have a strong message centered on rehabilitation. But as Election Day nears, polls show it's a toss-up or trailing.

California over decades sterilized thousands of people in state prisons, state-run homes and hospitals. Lawmakers created a reparations program for them, but it has denied most applications.

A new report on the success of California's "second chance" programs at discouraging felons from reoffending after Proposition 47 relies on diluted data.

Several efforts to restrict solitary confinement in California, including a bill attempting to exclude pregnant people, have either been vetoed, killed or watered down. Reformers vow to keep fighting.

A poll shows most voters support for Prop. 36, a sign Gavin Newsom's governorship is approaching lame duck status.