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Arnold's Awful Announcement:
New "Reform" Plan Keeps Youth Prisons Open

On November 30, Governor Schwarzenegger's corrections officials had to reveal a juvenile justice reform plan. They submitted a weak, deeply disappointing plan that goes in the opposite direction of a real rehabilitation system. The plan is a slap in the face to youth and families who have fought so hard to get the youth prisons closed and replaced with what works.

The plan lays out lofty principles for creating "kinder, gentler" warehouse prisons. Not only does it keep the same remote prisons in tact and it also calls for creating a new 250-bed youth prison in Stockton, right next door to the notorious Chad youth prison!

Everyone, including the Governor and CYA Chief Bernie Warner, knows what youth in CYA need. Youth need to be close to home, in small rehabilitation centers with 40 beds or less, staffed by youth specialists, not prison guards.

But the Governor and Chief Warner chickened out and broke their promise to transform the system. Instead of rescuing youth from the sinking ship that is CYA, they want to slap on a new coat of paint and build an extra deck. We won't stand for this!

Please Help! Call the Governor and tell him this plan is horrible!

1. Dial: 916-445-2841. If the number is busy, please call again after a few minutes.

2. Press 5 for "hot issues," and then press 0 to speak to a representative.

3. Stay on hold. It might be a while. Thank you for being patient.

4. Tell Arnold's staffer: "My name is [your name]. I am from [your town or city]. Please tell Governor Schwarzenegger that I extremely disappointed in his CYA youth prisons reform plan. The CYA prisons are outdated warehouses and need to be closed. Instead of closing the notorious Chad youth prison — the plan calls for building another one! Building a new enormous prison next to Chad goes in the opposite direction of what youth need. Youth need to be close to home, in small centers with 40 beds or less and with youth specialists instead of prison guards."

Books Not Bars to Make Noise at Senate Hearing!

Today (Monday 12/5), Senator Gloria Romero will hold a hearing to demand answers from corrections officials. Books Not Bars will descend on the hearing with signs and song to let these officials know we will fight for closing the youth prisons every step of the way! We will not allow the voices of parents and youth to go unheard.

This Is Only the Beginning.

We're not going to stop until this awful plan is in the garbage can. We need your support more now than ever. Don't forget to call the Governor, and stay tuned for more details on how you can join us in this important fight!

Many Thanks,
Lenore Anderson & Jakada Imani
Books Not Bars