This training will be a panel discussion on prison closures in the state of California and how advocacy groups, “abolitionists,” and administrative agencies perceive the role, purpose, and plan of prison closure in our state landscape. The conversation will bring together speakers from the advocacy community and state government to share their perspectives on this timely and urgent subject. Our experts will talk about the role that prisons have in society, why the calls to close prisons are taking place in our communities, and how prison closures are handled from an administrative perspective. They will also discuss how efforts to close prisons fit into conversations about public safety.

Moderator: Joanna Billingy, Policy Manager, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC)

Panelists:
Anthony DiMartino, Government Affairs Director, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ)
Caitlin O’Neil, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst, California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO)
Amber Rose Howard, Executive Director, Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB)
Claudia Gonzalez, Policy Advocate & Economic Security Coach, Root & Rebound (R&R)
Tom Nolan, Counsel, Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP
Edward Little, Policy Advocate, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ)