Juvenile Justice Communications Bill Heads to Governor

Legislation expected to reduce recidivism by allowing greater family communication

SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 28-3 vote, the State Senate today approved legislation expected to help rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles and reduce recidivism.  The Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows greater communication between incarcerated youth and their family members, clergy, and legal counsel. 

“Removing bureaucratic barriers to family communication is an efficient and effective means of helping rehabilitate incarcerated youth and will greatly cut recidivism rates,” said Yee, who is also a child psychologist.  “The research is clear; the youth and the general public are better off when we allow for greater communication with families.  I urge the Governor to sign this commonsense bill into law.”

Among the various provisions, the Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act (Senate Bill 1250):

• Ensures parents and guardians are notified in cases of emergency
• Provides for notification to families of upcoming parole hearings
• Allows youth to speak on the phone with family, clergy or legal counsel in their native language
• Requires youth facilities to provide blank paper, envelopes and pencils to youth in a manner consistent with institutional safety
• Allows youth to write letters to family, clergy or counsel in their native language
• Provides youth with a written description of rights while in custody

Some juvenile facilities currently deem blank paper and envelopes as contraband.  Others prohibit phone communication in languages other than English, even when the youth or family members may not speak or understand English.  In addition, families are often not informed when their loved one suffers a medical emergency or of an upcoming parole hearing.

“Current policies are inconsistent and counter-productive to rehabilitating children and ultimately protecting the community,” said Yee.  “SB 1250 will establish a consistent protocol for family communication and help keep families connected when their children need them most.  This bill is a crucial element for successful rehabilitation and an investment worth making for healthier families and safer streets.”

“Families are a lifeline for youth,” said Zachary Norris, Director of the Books Not Bars Campaign of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.  “Currently, families are not only cut off by barriers to communication, but shut out when their involvement is most crucial, such as when their children attempt suicide, or have a parole hearing to determine if they're ready for release.  We applaud Senator Yee's leadership in introducing a package of reforms that will enable and enhance communication for families whose loved ones are locked away in isolated, warehouse youth prisons.”

The Governor will have until September 30 to sign or veto SB 1250.

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