November 2009

November 30
Community of Sant' Egidio Prayer for Restorative Justice and those on Death Row

In solidarity with the global celebration of Cities for Life, and as a way to culminate International Restorative Justice Month.

7:30-8:30 pm
St. Agnes Spiritual Life Center
1711 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA
http://www.stagnesslc.org

The Community of Sant' Egidio normally meets every 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:30pm at the same location for prayer and fellowship. All are welcome!

November 21
"Catholic Perspectives on the Death Penalty"
Session 8: Saturday, Nov. 21st at 2:30-3:45pm

Faith Formation Conference: Nov. 20-21
Santa Clara, CA

"Come learn that saying no to the death penalty is part of our Catholic church teaching. As church we are deeply concerned for the victim’s families because too often the families are ignored in discussion of the death penalty. How can we help them heal from their tragic loss? We will also look at early intervention as a means of dealing with this issue.

Terry McCaffrey is a member of California People Faith Working Against the Death Penalty (CPF). He is currently President of the statewide organization. He is also Liaison to Bishop McGrath on the death penalty. He headed up a successful Campaign for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty, which was approved by the Santa Clara County Board
Supervisors. He is the producer of a widely acclaimed video “Interview With an Executioner”.He is a member of the Thomas Merton Community, which is part of the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Palo Alto."



November 19
Immigration and Crime

New Studies Examine Crime among Immigrants, Local Enforcement Efforts

WASHINGTON (November 2009) – The Center for Immigration Studies will hold a panel discussion to explore the issue of immigration and crime. The Center will be releasing an extensive new report examining immigrant criminality overall. The findings of the report, 'Immigration and Crime: Assessing a Conflicted Issue,' show that recent government data, some of which has not been examined before, indicates that immigrants have relatively high rates of criminality. However, this contradicts older academic research which found low rates. In addition, the panel will also discuss 'The 287(g) Program: Protecting Home Towns and Homeland,' a new Center report on the initiative which enables local law enforcement to indentify and remove criminal aliens. Davidson County, Tenn., Sheriff Daron Hall will discuss the impact of the 287(g) program on crime in his community.

The panel discussion will be on Thursday, November 19, at 9 a.m. in the 4th Estate Restaurant of the National Press Club, 14th & F streets NW. Advance copies of 'Immigration and Crime: Assessing a Conflicted Issue,' are available for the media; the study will be published Thursday at www.cis.org. The report on the 287(g) program is already posted.

The panel will include:

Daron Hall, Sheriff of Davidson County, Tenn. (Nashville); he oversees the county's 287(g) program and is on the board of the National Sheriffs' Association, as well as the incoming president of the American Correctional Association

Steven Camarota, Director of Research, Center for Immigration Studies; lead author of 'Immigration and Crime: Assessing a Conflicted Issue'

Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies; co-author of 'The 287(g) Program: Protecting Home Towns and Homeland' and co-author of 'Immigration and Crime: Assessing a Conflicted Issue'

Moderator: Mark Krikorian, Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies


The Center for Immigration Studies is an independent research institution that examines the impact of immigration on the United States.

October 2009

October 29, 2009
"The Future of San Quentin's Prison and the California Death Penalty"

Time: 7-8:30pm
Place: Dominican Sisters Gathering Space
1520 Grand Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Flyer

October 17, October 24, November 6, 2009
Healing the Wounded Heart: An Exploration of Restorative Justice
Register ONLINE for this FREE event today! Purpose: What is Restorative Justice? How can it be implemented in your parish? How can it impact our communities? Don't miss this important training conference to discover how Restorative Justice can bring healing to everyone who has been affected by crime and the justice system – victims, offenders, families, communities and professionals. Choose the time and locations most convenient for you:

Saturday, October 17: Marywood Pastoral Center, Orange, CA >>
Saturday, October 24: Cathedral of St. Mary, San Francisco, CA >>
Friday, November 6: Diocese of Fresno Pastoral Center, Fresno, CA >>

Download the event flyer in
English >>
Spanish >>


Oct. 10, 2009
Survive and Thrive 5k Run/Walk

Health and Safety Expo
Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base,
Los Alamitos , CA

For more info.

Oct. 3, 2009
3rd Annual Faith and Hope Beyond Prison Walls: Art Show

Featuring the work of incarcerated men & women.

Homeboy Industries
130 West Bruno St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
11 am - 6 pm

This art show benefits the ministries here at the Office of Restorative Justice, Archdioces of LA: Partnership for Re-Entry Program, Families of the Incarcerated, and Victims of Violent Crime.

Contact:
Sr. Mary Sean Hodges 213-438-4820 ext. 23,
     srmshodges@la-archdiocese.org
Alex at 818-468-8950

Website for Art Show

Sept. 2009


Sept. 25, 2009
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

Provides an opportunity for people of the U.S. to honor the memories of murder victims and to recognize the impact on surviving family members and loved ones.

Guest Speakers:
California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Former U.S. Director of Office for Victims of Crime John W. Gillis

Where:
Hall of Administration Building
500 West Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

When: 11am-2pm
Call: 310-547-5362

Sept. 19, 2009
Project Our Home Annual Fundraiser and Auction

Project Our Home is committed to a volunteer-centered, community based approach to transitional housing. It is our belief that sponsorship, mentoring and community support goes hand in hand with supervision if the process of reentry is to succeed.

See website


July 2009

July 30, 2009
Press Conference and Rally for the People's Budget Fix

The rally will call for criminal justice reforms that will increase public safety, protect the social safety net, and save the state billions, including the end of the death penalty.

While Death Penalty Focus will not be taking a position on any proposals not directly related to the death penalty, we invite our supporters to join our contingent calling for an end to the costly death penalty.

11am
Elihu M. Harris State Building
1515 Clay St.
Oakland, CA
(Walking distance from the 12th St. BART Station.)

Sponsored by: Books Not Bars (a campaign of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights), Drug Policy Alliance, FACTS, and the ACLU of Northern California.

More info on the People's Budget Fix.

Contact: Jennifer Kim, jennifer@ellabakercenter.org or 510-285-8234.


July 21 (1 p.m.) to July 23 (12 noon)
The Twenty-Eighth Annual Jean Berry Rutherford

MINISTRY WITH THE MARGINALIZED
CONFERENCE

Where: Common Room of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific
2451 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA 94709

Open to anyone interested in ministry to those in juvenile detention, jail, prison, half-way house, ministry to the mentally ill, mentally ill offenders, street ministry, etc.

*This conference is designed to help those involved and interested share their ministry struggles, concerns, etc. with one another. There is no speaker or agenda other than those attending, who will discuss who they are, what they have learned, and how they struggle in these ministries.

*There is NO CHARGE.

*For information call Nick Ristad: 707-253-5472

Please share this information with those who may be interested


July 4 and 5, 2009
Bob's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Orange County Swap Meet

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT CRIME SURVIVORS, INC.

Why: Raising Funds for Programs and Services
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Bob’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream - Orange County Swap Meet
ROW E – AISLE 3

For More Information
crimesurvivors@aol.com / (949) 872-7895
www.crimesurvivors.com

GIVING BACK & TASTY TREATS


June 30, 2009
Day of Action to End the Death Penalty
Sacramento, CA

On May 1st, the State of California announced that it is moving forward with developing execution procedures in order to comply with a recent legal ruling and resume executions, which have been on hold for more than three years.

The State will be holding a hearing on Tuesday, June 30th from 9am to 3pm in Sacramento to hear public comments about the proposed execution procedures.

Death Penalty Focus, along with our allies, will be organizing a critical Day of Action to End the Death Penalty on June 30th.

What You Can Do to Help:

1. Please plan to attend the hearing on June 30th in Sacramento. We will be organizing free buses/carpooling from SF and Oakland (more details to be announced very soon).

Tentative Schedule of Events:

9am-3pm Public Hearing on Lethal Injection
Department of Health Services, The Auditorium
1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814

3pm Procession to the Capitol

3:30pm-5pm Visiting with Legislators

*We need to pack the room with more than 300 hundred supporters. More than one hundred individuals will be needed to give public comment. If they cannot accommodate everyone who signs up to speak, it is possible they will have to schedule another hearing.

2. Please plan to submit a written comment to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). In just a few days we will be sending out suggestions for your comments and instructions on how to submit your comments. The CDCR is required by law to review and respond to every written comment. We need to generate thousands of comments from across the state, country and globe. We need to flood them with paperwork.

Please help us make this Day of Action a success!

Questions: 415-243-0143 or stefanie@deathpenalty.org
More Info.



June 2009

June 30
Open Comment on New Lethal Injection Protocol:
You can comment on the new lethal injection protocol for executions via email, fax, snail mail, or in person. The public comment period will close on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 5PM.

Snail Mail:
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Regulation and Policy Management Branch (RPMB)
PO Box 942883
Sacramento, California
94283-0001

Fax: (916) 255-5601
E-mail: RPMB@cdcr.ca.gov

In person:

A public hearing has been scheduled for June 30, 2009 from 9AM-3PM at the Auditorium of the Department of Health Services, 1500 Capitol Ave.

Read full article>>

Father's Day: Unite Children with their Father's

Need a good gift idea for your Dad, or that special person in your life? We here at Get On The Bus have just the solution! We invite you to unite children with their fathers for this Father’s Day by sending a Get On The Bus Father’s Day tribute card! For all donations of $25 and above, Get On The Bus will mail out this special card to the person of your choice. What a wonderful way to support a worthy cause and celebrate the Father’s Day holiday! Simply click here to be directed to the order form and mail your order with your check!

Get on the Bus started with just one bus to one prison. With the extraordinary support of people like you, we’ve grown to meet increasing demand. This year, we plan to run 50 busses to 5 different prisons, with a goal of reuniting more than 1,000 children with their parent on Mother’s or Father’s Day. It is a wonderful accomplishment for our tenth anniversary!

Get on the Bus Homepage

June 15-17, 2009
17th National CCIP Training Institute: Working with Children of Incarcerated Parents & Their Families

At the Western Justice Center in Pasadena, California.

This 20 hour Institute will provide descriptive and statistical information about criminal offenders and their families, with an emphasis on children of incarcerated parents, and will offer practical information about service models and interventions for these special children. The Institute will also share the research and practical experience underlying the Center's developmental, relationship-based approach to working with families involved in the criminal justice system. Here's the agenda.

The Center's trainers for this Institute will include:* Denise Johnston, M.D., founding director of the Center, a child development specialist and a leading national authority on children of criminal offenders.* Irit Bar-Netzer, D. Psy., an infant mental health specialist with extensive experience working with incarcerated mothers and their children.* Michael P. Carlin, Director of the Center's FatherRight Project and a certified mediator with expertise in the child custody issues of incarcerated parents.* Lorena Delgado, a child development specialist and Supervising Family Advocate who works with pregnant prisoners and incarcerated mothers of infants and young children through the Center's MIRACLE Project.

Early registration ($325) is offered until May 31, 2009. Regular registration ($400) is offered June 1-14, 2009. Registration scholarships are available for former prisoners and adult children of current or former prisoners. Registration fees cover all Institute costs, including training materials and five meals. This Institute will accept 40 trainees; certification will be granted to those participants completing 18 hours of training.

To register, print and complete the Registration Form and submit it by mail to CCIP at Box 41-286, Eagle Rock, CA 90041.

For more information, call Anthony Martinez at the Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents, 626-449-2470 or ccip@earthlink.net.

June 13, 2009
Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation
Reconciliation means accepting you cannot undo the murder but you can decide how to want to live afterwards.

On June 13th at the Regulator Bookshop in Durham, NC, MVFR NC and members will be hosting a book signing and discussion for, Therese Bartholomew and her book entitled, "Coffee Shop God." When Therese Bartholomew's younger brother Steve was shot and killed in Greenville, SC, she wondered how she would survive without him. Bartholomew's powerful new memoir, Coffee Shop God, details her struggle to adjust in the weeks and months following her brother's untimely death. In this collection of essays, Bartholomew questions her spirituality in the midst of bond hearings, debilitating grief, and a new marriage. As she heals, she strives to connect with the family she has left-the mother who always has a joke, the father who cannot show affection, the ex-drug-dealing brother who is now an evangelical Christian, and the talking bird she inherits from her brother-while learning to forgive the young man who killed her brother.

Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, calls Coffee Shop God "a moving account of the author's struggle to make sense of life, faith, and humanity after the tragic loss of her brother." A featured selection in Central Piedmont Community College's ArtsFest 2009, Coffee Shop God offers a roadmap to anyone who has experienced loss and gazed uncertainly into the future.

When: Saturday, June 13th, from 3pm-5pm
Where: The Regulator Bookshop 720 Ninth St. Durham, NC 27705
For more information: Call John P.Comer at 919.956.5900
Please mark your calendar.

MVFR Website

June 3, 2009
Death Penalty Focus: Meeting of the Inland Valley Chapter

7pm
Round Building of Claremont United Methodist Church
211 West Foothill Boulevard
Claremont, CA

All persons interested in the death penalty are welcome.
For more information, please contact DPF_InlandValley@yahoo.com or call 909 398 4471

May 2009 

May 31, 2009
The Los Angeles County Coalition for Death Penalty Alternatives Presents
COSTS & CONSEQUENCES: CAN WE AFFORD THE DEATH PENALTY?

Co-Hosted by:

Charles Ogletree
Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School

Congresswoman Maxine Waters
Representative for California's 35th Congressional District

Featuring a panel and question and answer session with:
Jon Streeter
Attorney and Former Vice Chair of the California Commission on the Fair
Administration of Justice

Azim Khamisa
Father of Murder Victim and Founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation

Gloria Killian
Wrongfully Convicted of First Degree Murder

Sunday, May 31st
3 pm - 5 pm
Fame Renaissance Center
First AME Church
1968 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90018

This event is free and open to the public

Contact jatrig777@aol.com for more information.

May 22-24, 2009
Juvenile Justice Sabbath: A Call for a Juvenile Justice System that Heals
Unite with congregations of all faiths to raise awareness about the needs of the children and families impacted by crime and society’s systemic response to crime. You can participate with prayers, service and action at your place of worship. For more information, contact Javier Stauring at 213.426.4620 x13 or insidejch@aol.com.

Learn more>>
Download factsheet PDF >>
Endorse JJS Sunday at your parish PDF form >>



May 21, 2009
Death Penalty Focus 18th Annual Awards Dinner
Los Angeles, CA
SAVE-THE DATE!

Honoring

Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico
2009 Human Rights Award

John Van de Kamp
Former Attorney General of California
Rose Elizabeth Bird Commitment to Justice Award

Nick McKeown
2009 Abolition Award

Bryan Stevenson
Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative
The Norman Felton and Denise Aubuchon Humanitarian Award

Jeanne Woodford
Former San Quentin Warden
The Mario Cuomo Acts of Courage Award

Nancy Miller
Creator and Producer of TV Series Saving Grace
Justice in the Arts Award

Universal Studios Globe Theatre
Universal City, California

6:00 p.m. VIP Reception & Silent Auction
7:15 p.m. Dinner & Program

In Memory of Al Meyerhoff & DeWayne McKinney

For more info>>


May 20, 2009
Death Penatly Focus: Monthly Meeting of the San Francisco Chapter

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Flood Building
870 Market St.
Conference Room 838
San Francisco, CA 94102
Pizza and refreshments provided.

The closest BART station is Powell.
Parking information is available at: http://www.eofgarage.com/


May 19-22
Exonerees Coming to L.A. – Booking Information

"Two extraordinary speakers on the devastation of wrongful conviction will be in the Los Angeles area later this month, and available to address audiences concerned about the injustice of our Capital Punishment system.

Between May 19 and May 22, Death Row Exonerees Curtis McCarty and Greg Wilhoit are available to speak to your professional organization, service club, community group, classroom, or other gathering. Both Curtis and Greg have spoken extensively about their astonishing and enlightening experiences. Brief bios are at the end of this email.

For scheduling and further information, please contact Kurt Rosenberg at Witness to Innocence (www.WitnessToInnocence.org ) at witnesstoinnocence@gmail.com or 215-387-1831.



May 19, 2009
Global Day of Action for Troy Davis

What are your plans? If you plan an event, please let California People of Faith (CPF)know, and we’ll help publicize!

Troy Davis' stay of execution is set to expire on May 15. On May 19, groups and individuals all around the world will be organizing demonstrations, vigils, teach-ins or other public events to show the state of Georgia that the execution of Troy Davis would be an unacceptable travesty of justice. We need you to be as visible and as loud as possible!

CPF Contacts:
Northern California: Terry McCaffrey – 408.257.1360, terrymc@igc.org

Southern California: Emily Hammargren - 213.235.8305, cpf@la-archdiocese.org


More Info. >>


May 19, 2009
Get Acquainted with Detention Ministry: Diocese of San Diego
Monthly information/training session offered by Deacon Walsh at the Pastoral Center- The next training session will be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more info. click here

Sorry, no walk-ins. Contact Deacon Jim Walsh for reservations or questions: 858-490-8375 or e-mail Deacon Jim jwalsh@diocese-sdiego.org



May 13, 2009
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COALITION FOR DEATH PENALTY ALTERNATIVES (LACCDPA)

6-7:30pm

ACLU of Southern California
1313 West Eighth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
See a Yahoo! Map. Free parking is available.

At the Death House Door is a personal intimate look at the death penalty in the state of Texas through the eyes of Pastor Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death house chaplain and accompanied 95 men to their executions.

"An impassioned portrait of a quest for truth." - Chicago Tribune

Sponsored by CSUS Newman Center JustFaith and Death Penalty Focus.


May 10, 2009
Meeting of the LA Chapter of Death Penalty Focus: 3pm

Homeboy Industries
130 W Bruno Street
Los Angeles, CA

The cross street is Alameda, north of Union Station.
There is street parking or a parking lot in the back.
Entrance to the building is on Alameda.

With the recent formation of the LA Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, there is new energy on this issue and important work for us to do.

More info: Joanne Berlin, Coordinator, LA Chapter of Death Penalty Focus, 310-260-8514

DPF Website >>

May 8, 2009
Get on the Bus: Mother's Day Visit is CANCELLED
Over 700 children planning to visit their mother's in prison will have to wait longer due to health concerns about swine flu. For more information see press release.

Video on GOTB >>
GOTB Website >>


April 2009

April 24-26, 2009
Juvenile Justice Sabbath: A Call for a Juvenile Justice System that Heals
Unite with congregations of all faiths to raise awareness about the needs of the children and families impacted by crime and society’s systemic response to crime. You can participate with prayers, service and action at your place of worship. For more information, contact Javier Stauring at 213.426.4620 x13 or insidejch@aol.com.

Learn more >>
Download factsheet PDF >>
Endorse JJS Sunday at your parish PDF form >>
 

February 2009 

February 24, 2009
The Bar Association of SF hosts “California Death Penalty: What’s to be Done?”

Location: BASF Conference Center, 301 Battery St, 3rd Fl, San Francisco
Time: 4-6pm
A discussion of the death penalty report of the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice (CCFAJ) and the role of local bar associations in reform.

More information and registration >>

February 12-14, 2009
13th Restorative Justice Conference: Getting to the Roots of Justice

Location: Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, CA
Three days of workshops and presentations on restorative justice from every angle – in prison, in schools, for victims, in churches.

More information and registration >>

February 6, 2009
Crossover: The Catholic Community in Conversation

Location: California Institution for Women, 16756 Chino-Corona Road, Corona, CA
Time: 9am to 3:30pm
Bishop Gabino Zavala leads representatives from parishes in a day of conversation with women in prison. Crossover days are sponsored by the Women and Criminal Justice Network. For more information contact 909.560.0247.

February 1, 2009
Hear the Prison Angel, Mary Jordan, speak

Location: Holy Family Church, 7817 Old Auburn Road, Citrus Heights, CA
Time: 1:30pm
Mary Jordan was a blond Beverly Hills socialite who had been married and divorced twice and raised seven children. She was 50 when she left suburban Los Angeles for a life of service in La Mesa, Tijuana’s prison. There will be a book signing afterwards. Donations welcome.