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Prison reform surfaces as issue in state, prison lobby, police unions keep legalization off table |
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Written by Chris Conrad
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Over-crowding, corruption and brutality dog state system
Prison abuse has been an ongoing problem in California since education budgets were cut to fund a prison-building spree that began in the 1980s. Gray Davis was recalled as governor in part due to the perception that he was bought and paid for by the prison lobby and police union. Gov. Schwarzenegger won election in part based on his claim to get away from “special interests” and clean up the prisons.
In July of this year, John Hagar, the federal court investigator overseeing part of the state's corrections system, accused the chief of staff of one-time cannabis smoker Schwarzenegger of being in the hip pocket of the same prison guard union that he once decried, and overcrowding has gotten so bad that legislators are again looking to building more prisons while criminals are routinely given early release.
Newspapers around the state have reported and editorialized on the topic. Yet, with all this amid a public outpouring of support for ending marijuana arrests and taxing and regulating its sales, there has been no public debate on the issue and no legislation introduced to reduce penalties on marijuana use. While serious criminals get early release, {quotes right}marijuana arrests are at an all-time high and qualified patients are routinely jailed and prosecuted.{/quotes}
In a detailed report laid out by Hagar, he catalogued a code of violence, silence, and intimidation, along with political contributions that amount to influence peddling at the state capitol.
The problem is not limited to the state. On July 19 and 20, the Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons convened in Newark, New Jersey, to hear testimony about widespread institutional problems that can lead to violence and abuse if not properly managed. A transcript of the proceedings, in whole and by witness panel, is at prisoncommission.org.
Mikki Norris, director of the Cannabis Consumers' Campaign, said she hopes that the prison crisis and voter initiatives will get people to contact their elected officials and write letters to the editor calling for legislation to stop arresting people for marijuana and instead taxed and regulate commerce in our number one cash crop.
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Volume Two 
