Incarcerated KIDS should be kept CLOSE TO HOME

You have to walk your talk, America

Incarcerated KIDS should be kept CLOSE TO HOME

Written on December 10, 2009 – 11:12 am | by Schizo America |

CYA 'counselors' beating a young ward.

Ella Baker Center’s Books Not Bars just sent me the following email:

As 2009 draws to a close, we’re happy to report that the dwindling population in the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) forced the closure of one of the state’s most abusive youth prisons, Southern California’s Heman G. Stark. However, instead of seizing this opportunity to place youth from Stark closer to their families, the DJJ is sending many youth even farther away.

Maria*, a Families for Books Not Bars member, hasn’t seen her son in two years. A resident of East Palo Alto, she hasn’t been able to visit him due to the distance and the cost of travel. When she heard the news that Stark is being closed, she hoped her son would be transferred to a youth prison closer to her home. Maria’s hopes were shattered when she learned her son would remain in Southern California and not be transferred up north. Other families who want their children to remain near them in Southern California have learned their kids will be sent nearly 400 miles away.

It’s not too late to stop this injustice — tell Bernard Warner, head of the DJJ, to move the young people being transferred out of Stark closer to their families.

Studies have shown that maintaining family connection throughout a child’s period of incarceration decreases the likelihood of recidivism and increases the likelihood of success. But it’s plain common sense to keep youth near their families, and it’s cruel to isolate them.

Today, help us commemorate Human Rights Day by standing up for the young people inside Stark. On December 10, 1948, the world came together to ratify the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global proclamation of human rights. It was signed by many countries, including the United States. While we reflect upon the gains we’ve made in the last 61 years around the world, we must also remain vigilant to protect the most fundamental rights of kids here in California.

We have a long way to go before California and the DJJ embody the tenets of the Declaration. But you can help. Make Human Rights Day especially meaningful this year by joining us in demanding that prison officials move young people closer to their families.
http://www.ellabakercenter.org/?p=bnb_move_closer

Justice for families,

Zachary Norris
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

*Name has been changed to protect privacy and to prevent potential retaliation