Gov. Newsom must release more people from prisons to protect Californians and save lives

Over the last few weeks, the worst outbreak of COVID-19 in California has unfolded.

On June 1st, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported amongst the incarcerated population in San Quentin. Since then, those of us with loved ones inside, and those who hold sacred the human dignity of all, have watched with horror as the number of cases has exploded.

Today, just over a month since the transfer of incarcerated people from the California Institution for Men brought the virus to San Quentin, there have been over 1,500 total confirmed cases of people who live or work in San Quentin.

While loved ones of incarcerated people and advocates have been on the front line raising awareness of this human rights crisis, it has become increasingly clear - this is not just a prison issue. The walls and razor wire of our prisons, juvenile detention facilities, ICE detention centers and jails cannot contain this pandemic.

This pattern will continue until those in power do what is right, sound and just - not just what appears to be politically safe on first blush. While the news to release close to 8,000 more people from the state’s prisons is a step in the right direction - we must keep moving forward. This moment demands Gov. Gavin Newsom, and other decision makers, to stop using rhetorics of fear, evolve beyond the politics of the past and move towards sound policies that recognize our commonality in the face of this very real threat.

It is clear that in order to contain this highly contagious virus, we must dramatically reduce the state prison population. We understand this is a big ask. Our society has, for over generations, consumed demonizing images of Black and brown bodies, with saturation from the nightly news and political careers built on playing into white fears of Black criminals. It has become integral to our collective consciousness. We are the nation of Willie Horton, and political rallies at Tulsa, the sight of the largest Black massacre in American history. We are also an “indivisible nation under God,” centered around the founding principles of mercy, forgiveness and loving thy neighbor without exception.

The fears and subconscious biases that have influenced each of us, including our political leaders, have also guided the policymaking that has led to this moment: hundreds of thousands of people behind bars in California whose lives, wellness and dignity are imperiled.

We are heartened to see Gov. Newsom and CDCR taking steps to further reduce the prison population. Still, we must continue the momentum, meet the urgency of the moment and do more to save lives and to protect against the further degradation of human dignity and traumatization of communities of color. Amend and Berkeley Public Health have laid out a plan that, if followed, will put us on a continued course correct towards redemption - urging a 50 percent reduction in the prison population.

We understand the concerns about releasing people without adequate supports. And we the community, stand ready and willing to pool the necessary resources: to open our homes, secure hotel rooms and housing before leaving our loved ones to suffer or die inside our prisons or on the streets.

Today, perhaps more than at any time in our state’s history, we need our political leaders to really see the people behind bars and their loved ones- because this is now so much bigger than politics. While fear that someone who is released from prison will go on to do harm is not unfounded, the reality is that data and history provide us with information on how best to release people in prison in ways that truly minimize the risk of harm.

Let us be clear - nobody wants harm to happen, but talk of “violent and serious offenders” and “non-non-non’s” prevents a responsible plan that centers the most vulnerable. Data has consistently shown that people who have been convicted of serious or violent crimes have the lowest recidivism rates. As we teeter on the brink of an uncontrollable outbreak, we can’t afford to let fear or bias drive policy, when science proves that conviction alone says nothing about who that person is today or their readiness to reenter society.

We appreciate Gov. Newsom’s statements that he is willing to visit San Quentin - a community he has lifted up and supported in the past - and hope he will do so in order to see the full extent of the human rights travesty that is occurring there. We trust that being faced with such devastating human suffering, the governor will be motivated to continue on the path to redemption and reduce the prison population to protect us all.

This story was originally published July 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.