What is this bill about?
AB 985 (Santiago and Bonta) establishes personal visits for incarcerated people as a limited civil right, rather than a privilege, and ensures that revoking visitation rights are limited to special circumstances.
How does it align with yli’s values?
yli partners with thousands of youth across the state, the majority of whom are low-income youth of color. Many of them bear the brunt of our state’s harmful “justice” system, not least of which is the traumatizing experience of being separated from parents and caretakers, who play a critical role in the development of their children. Research demonstrates strong familial connections reduce recidivism and help incarcerated persons thrive once they return to their community.
Maintaining consistent and meaningful connections between incarcerated persons and their loved ones is often difficult. Incarcerated people can be denied personal visits with family or friends as a disciplinary action unrelated to visitation or the prospective visitor. By establishing incarcerated persons’ right to personal visits, AB 958 will support families with incarcerated persons, improve familial connections, and help incarcerated persons’ thrive once they return home.
This policy aligns with our Racial Justice Platform, which addresses the disproportionate impact of the Prison Industrial Complex on Black, Indigenous and other people of color.
What is yli doing about it?
We have just submitted a letter endorsing this bill, and we are showing our support on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Who else supports this bill?
- A New Way of Life
- All of Us or None
- Alliance for Boys and Men of Color
- Anti-Recidivism Coalition
- California Families Against Solitary Confinement
- California’s Impacted Families Project
- Community Works
- Communities United for Restorative Youth
- Justice
- Drop LWOP
- East Bay Family Defenders
- Felony Murder Elimination Project
- Families United to End LWOP
- Homies Unidos
- Legal Services for Prisoners with
- Children Mary Mac Transitional Homes
- Pillars of the Community
- Place4Grace
- Prison From-TheInside-Out Inc.
- RTime Co
- Sister Warriors
- Starting Over, Inc.
- Young Women’s Freedom Center