SAGE Lecture Spark September 16, 2019

Lawmakers in California Pass Bill Banning Private Prisons and ICE Detention Centers On Wednesday, September 11th, the California State Assembly passed the AB-32 bill, in a 65-11 vote. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D), would effectively ban private prisons, including some ICE detention centers, from operating in the state of California. The bill will now head to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, where Newsom will have until October 13th to either sign or veto the bill. Should Governor Gavin Newsom sign or veto the bill? Here are a few sources regarding the CA bill: California to Ban Ice Detention Centers Housing Thousands of Immigrants After New Bill Clamps Down on For-Profit Prisons By: Chantal Da Silva Newsweek 09/13/2019 https://www.newsweek.com/california-prison-prisons-ban-ice-detention-centers-1459094   California lawmakers pass bill banning private prisons, some ICE detention centers By: Aris Folley The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/461370-california-lawmakers-pass-bill-banning-private-prisons-including-ice

Key Concepts According to the AB-32 bill, the following would be added to the Penal Code: (a) On or after January 1, 2020, the department shall not enter into a contract with a private, for-profit prison facility located in or outside of the state to provide housing for state prison inmates. (b) On or after January 1, 2020, the department shall not renew an existing contract with a private, for-profit prison facility located in or outside of the state to incarcerate state prison inmates. (c) After January 1, 2028, a state prison inmate or other person under the jurisdiction of the department shall not be incarcerated in a private, for-profit prison facility. (d) As used in this section, “private, for-profit prison facility” does not include a facility that is privately owned, but is leased and operated by the department. (e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), the department may renew or extend a contract with a private, for-profit prison facility to provide housing for state prison inmates in order to comply with the requirements of any court-ordered population cap. Here is the AB-32 bill in its entirety: AB–32 Detention Facilities: Private, For-Profit Administration Services California Legislative Assembly 09/06/2019 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB32

Key Concepts According to statistics from obtained from both ICE and the Bureau of Justice Statistics: As of June 2019, 2,222 of California’s total inmate population was held in private prisons. In August 2019, about 1,300 people were being held at privately-run ICE detention centers in California Here are two sources that discuss the number of inmates held in private prisons: California assembly votes to ban private, for-profit prisons By: Theo Wayt NBC News 09/13/2019 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-assembly-votes-ban-private-profit-prisons-n1054301 California bans private-prisons – including Ice detention centers By: Darwin Bond Graham The Guardian 09/12/2019 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/12/california-private-prison-ban-immigration-ice

Key Concepts Why is the AB-32 bill considered a major feat for both criminal justice reform and immigration reform advocates? Advocates have long rallied against the use of private prisons to house inmates and detained immigrants due to the inhumane treatment of the inmates. Here is one more source:   California Just Banned Private Prisons, Including ICE Detention Centers By: Gaby Del Valle Vice News 09/12/2019 https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mbm7a8/california-just-banned-private-prisons-including-ice-detention-facilities

Assessment Writing: Explain why the bill represents a victory for criminal justice reform. Debate: Private prisons should continue to operate in California. Poll: Do you believe that Governor Gavin Newsom will sign the AB-32 bill into law? Short Answer: Why is AB-32 considered a ‘flashpoint’ in California’s fight with the Trump administration over the treatment of immigrants? Current Events Quiz 1. According to the bill, private prisons would be phased out entirely by a. 2020. b. 2024. c. 2026. d. 2028.   2. As of June, an estimated _____ people incarcerated in the state of California were held in for-profit facilities. a. 1,450 b. 1, 932 c. 2,222 d. 2, 400 3. According to the Geo Group, a for-profit prison company, AB-32 works against the state’s Proposition 57 anti-_____ goals approved by voters. a. recidivism b. reintegration c. rehabilitation d. retribution 4. AB-32 was passed with overwhelming support. (T/F) 5. The bill is considered a major loss for immigration advocacy groups. (T/F) 6. The legislation was originally intended to ban only contracts between California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and for-profit prisons. (T/F) Answers 1) D 2) C 3) A 4) T 5) F 6) T