San Quentin

California Leaders, Activists Praise Kamala Harris’ “Reform First” Criminal Justice Plan

Other policies in the plan to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system include introducing a national standard for police use of force; providing incentives for states to get rid of mandatory minimums; equalizing sentencing for possession and distribution of crack and cocaine; mandating prisons to offer educational courses, vocational training as well as mental health and addiction treatment. Harris also wants to end federal laws that prohibit formerly incarcerated people from accessing housing, loans, food stamps and other public services.

California grants rare look inside largest death row

With executions on hold in California and a death penalty appeals process that can take years, many inmates on the nation’s largest death row say they spend little time worrying about the lethal injection that may one day kill them.