Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

In the face of this looming economic crisis and the threat of running out of cash, does it really make sense for the State of California to spend $9.7 billion keeping 317,375 behind bars (which amounts to spending approximately $35,587 per person in prison)?

from the " Christian Science Monitor

California lawmakers just got a Henry Paulson-like ultimatum from state officials: If they don't act, the state could be forced to suspend road, bridge, and other public-works projects as early as next week. Come March, California will be out of cash for even day-to-day operations.

A confluence of the national recession and years of legislative budget games is squeezing the Golden State as never before. Although it's not the largest budget gap the state has ever faced, this time it will be harder for California to get help from private lenders. Standard & Poor's now ranks it lower than any other state except Louisiana, which shares the same rating.

The question is: Will lawmakers finally make the tough budget decisions they've put off for so long?

Want to do something about it?
*RALLY FOR PRISONER RELEASES!
End Overcrowding and Release Eligible Prisoners Now!*

When: Tuesday December 16, 2008 at 8:30 AM

Where: The Northern California District Court at 450 Golden Gate Ave, between Larkin and Polk in San Francisco, CA

Next week will mark the final week of hearings for the historic 3 judge panel on prison overcrowding in California state prisons. Throughout the trial, the torturous conditions California prisoners live under and the lack of real action on the part of the State to change conditions have been exposed. In this final week of the hearing, the judges are hearing about possible ways to reduce the number of prisoners, including possible early prisoner releases. For the most recent coverage of the hearings, see the NY Times article published on Monday http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/us/08calif.html

We had an amazing rally on the first day of the trial on November 18th, with roughly 50 former prisoners, loved ones of prisoners, and our supporters demanding prisoner release and an end to the inhumane treatment of people inside. We want to make sure our voices and demands are heard again as the trial is winding up and continue to draw attention to the truly cruel and unusual conditions our loved ones are living under because of out of control overcrowding inside. People who are able to can go up to the courtroom after the rally to sit in on the hearings on the 19th Floor in the Ceremonial Courtroom.

Please come out next Tuesday at 8:30 AM and join us in demanding that they release eligible lifers, low-risk aging prisoners, domestic violence survivors, and medically incapacitated prisoners NOW!

For more information contact California Coalition for Women Prisoners at 415-255-7036 x4 or info@womenprisoners.org