In the Community Newsletter: June 2024
Empowering the Next Generation: Summer Youth Restorative Justice Internship
As summer unfolds, Full Picture Justice proudly launches its annual Summer Youth Restorative Justice Internship, a program designed to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become champions of restorative justice in their communities.
Program Overview
Our Summer Youth Restorative Justice Internship is a one-week program, from 8/5/24-8/9/24, at our Mission Headquarters, that immerses participants in the principles and practices of restorative justice. This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders dedicated to fostering fairness, equity, and healing within the justice system.
Educational Workshops
Interns participate in a series of interactive workshops led by experienced restorative justice practitioners. These sessions cover topics such as conflict resolution, trauma-informed care, community healing, and the principles of restorative justice.
Hands-On Experience
Interns have the opportunity to engage directly with restorative justice projects, including facilitating restorative circles. This hands-on experience is crucial for understanding the real-world application of restorative justice practices.
Mentorship and Professional Development
Mentors provide personalized guidance and support throughout the program. Seasoned professionals in the field offer valuable insights and advice, helping interns navigate their journey and achieve their goals.
Join Us
The Summer Youth Restorative Justice Internship is more than just a summer program; it is a movement towards a brighter future, driven by the passion and dedication of young leaders. We are excited to see the positive impact our interns will continue to make and look forward to their future contributions to the field of restorative justice. Please spread the word and encourage young people aged 13-19 to apply. For more information about the program and how you can get involved, please contact Shanna Wills at shanna@fullpicturejustice.org.
Huge Turnout at Advanced Reconciliation Circle Training
The Real Accountability Project (RAP) team hosted our next-level circle-keeper training, titled “How to Hold a Reconciliation Circle” on June 8th with 22 participants.
What is a Reconciliation Circle?
It is the definitive restorative justice circle in which we support two individuals to address a conflict, crime, or harm that has been committed. It provides a way to address harm without relying on punitive systems and by focusing on needs, accountability, and creating shared agreements.
Next-Level Training
Conflict is challenging; people are hurting, and the reconciliation circle is charged with emotions. Also, the practice of reconciliation circles stands in opposition to the dominant culture’s values and practices around conflict. Contrary to the white/western/modern worldview that we are separate, independent free agents who believe “an eye for eye, tooth for tooth,” this work says, “No, we’re not isolated entities. Each person matters, we’re all part of one whole, and we need each other to survive.” We hold reconciliation circles in order to maintain and sustain our connections with each other, and to learn how to navigate the inevitable conflicts of being human.
Building A Community of Circle Keepers
Participants, coming from K-12 settings, non-profits, cooperatives, criminal-legal systems, as well as from arts and organizing fields, contributed to make the training real and meaningful for all. Though many were familiar with community building, or healing circles, some had never participated in a circle. Everyone was eager to apply the circle process to conflicts in their workplaces and lives.
A Full Day
We began with an exercise that demonstrated how harm create needs and obligations. Next we introduced to the challenge of discernment, or how to assess if a conflict is appropriate for a reconciliation circle. After a delicious lunch provided by AJ from Renegade Catering, we taught the stages and steps of how to hold reconciliation circles. We broke into 4 role-play teams to apply the circle process to a realistic scenario. Each team dove into this most tangible, hands-on part of the day.
Some Takeaways from our Participants:
- “I was encouraged to believe that I can do this work.”
- “I learned to let the disputants follow the prompts and to trust the process.”
- “We witnessed the power of neutrality as a circle keeper.”
- “Each party has a role to play in the solutions.”
- “I saw the courage and dignity of both disputants.”
- “There are many applications, both personal and at work.”
- “I’m curious about alternative language and cultural variations on this work.”
- “We can sew the seeds for reconciliation through teaching this to youth.”
To continue growing, we need:
- More practice
- More skill building
- Attend community building circles
- To be part of a community of circle keepers
Next up for RAP
We are bringing these practices to our mitigation work by beginning to hold Reconciliation Circles with Full Picture Justice clients who need to mend broken relationships as they recover from severe sentences. We will continue to refine our understanding of this process, and share what we learn with the growing community of circle keepers.
Big shout out to the RAP team, and all the folks behind the scenes!
Start your own healing circle.
Welcome Our Newest Staff Members
We are excited to share highlights from our June monthly staff meeting, which marked our first gathering as a whole group with our new staff members as well as our incoming Executive Director, Diane Lozano. Diane has been visiting San Francisco regularly in preparation for her official start on September 1st.
Join us in welcoming our newest team members:
- Michelle Meneses, Mitigation and Social Work Specialist
- Linda Urueña Mariño, Mitigation Specialist
- Emma Woods, Mitigation Specialist
- Louis Williams, Mitigation Specialist
- Naimah Edwards, Summer Intern from Boston University
These talented individuals bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to Full Picture Justice, and we are confident they will make significant strides in ending the death penalty. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are excited about the future and the incredible work we will accomplish together. Welcome aboard, everyone!
California Prisons Use Discredited Lie Detector Technology
Raymond Whitall, a 58-year-old prisoner at Salinas Valley State Prison, accused guards of unjustified violence in 2017. Suffering from a chronic disease that affects his hearing and balance, Whitall was accused of swinging his cane at guards. A prison investigator found Whitall's injuries inconsistent with the guards' account, but Whitall's complaint was dismissed after he took a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) test, a device debunked as pseudoscience.
Addressing Systemic Issues
Despite researchers and the CVSA manufacturer admitting its ineffectiveness, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation used CVSA for years. This unreliable tool was employed during investigations, even in the face of significant scientific criticism. The Chronicle's investigation revealed that 13 other law enforcement agencies in California, including the Berkeley Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, have also used CVSA in hiring processes and criminal investigations. Since 2020, these agencies have spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on CVSA technology.
Protection of Vulnerable Populations
In 2023, the corrections department announced it would end CVSA use, although they have not revisited past complaints like Whitall's. Whitall, now 65, is suing Salinas Valley and the guards involved in the incident. His civil trial is scheduled for August.
Law enforcement's continued use of scientifically unsupported technologies like CVSA highlights the need for rigorous standards and oversight. Critics argue that such tools can pressure prisoners into false confessions and undermine the justice system's integrity.
Promoting Justice for All
Full Picture Justice is concerned with the misuse of CVSA because it undermines the fairness, accuracy, and integrity of the justice system, disproportionately harms vulnerable populations, and reflects broader systemic issues that need to be addressed to ensure justice for all. Full Picture Justice is dedicated to promoting justice for all individuals, regardless of their status or circumstances. Raymond Whitall’s experience with CVSA exemplifies a failure of the justice system to protect and fairly treat all individuals.
For more insights, read the full article here.
Come Swim With Us!
Please join us in supporting the following swimmers who have joined the Full Picture Justice team for the annual fundraising swim from Alcatraz!
- Tay Wiles
- Robin Kallman
- Jackson Tejeda
- Mirra Schwartz
- Galia Amram
- Lew Wentz
- Natsu Schoenstein
- Allie Siegel
- Kathleen Doherty
- Jesse Meade
- Mark Efe
- Aaron Mikuni
- Olivia Gow-Smith
- Stefania Giordano
- Shanna Wills
- Cory Cowden
- Harrison Bandabaila
Why Alcatraz?
Alcatraz Island, infamous for its federal prison, stands as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of punitive justice in our society. Each year, the Full Picture Justice team swims from Alcatraz to San Francisco, symbolically bridging the gap between the isolated island and the supportive shores. This swim serves as both a fundraiser and a campaign to raise awareness about the harmful effects of incarceration on our communities.
Event Details
Date: September 7th, 2024
Location: Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park in San Francisco
Cost: Full Picture Justice covers your registration fee
We'll support you throughout the entire process—from fundraising guidance to weekly swim practices. And, of course, there will be plenty of time to celebrate our achievements together!
Spread the Word
Invite your friends and family to join our team! The more, the merrier as we brave the waters together. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Sign up now and make 2024 the year you swim from Alcatraz for a cause. We look forward to seeing you in the water!
Fairness and Equality Undermined by Homophobic Slurs and Discriminatory Juror Selection
Newly disclosed court records reveal that California prosecutors in Alameda County used homophobic slurs to refer to prospective jurors in death penalty cases, adding to a widening misconduct scandal. Handwritten notes from prosecutors show derogatory terms were used during jury selection in capital trials. These revelations come two months after US Judge Vince Chhabria suggested systemic exclusion of Black and Jewish jurors by Alameda prosecutors, prompting a review of implicated death penalty cases by the DA's office.
Impact on Defendants Facing Death Penalty
DA Pamela Price identified 35 cases for review, disclosing records indicating a focus on excluding Jewish people and Black women. Defense attorneys continue to uncover new discriminatory records, including the homophobic notes. Advocates, highlighting these records, are calling for the resentencing of all death row inmates in Alameda County. Concerns about long-standing jury discrimination persist, with calls for accountability and comprehensive case reviews. Despite ongoing efforts, issues of discrimination in jury selection remain a significant problem in the justice system.
A Call for Resentencing and Review of Cases
Ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings is paramount for Full Picture Justice. The misconduct by prosecutors, including the use of discriminatory language and practices, is a failure of the justice system. We call for accountability and transparency within the justice system. The lack of disciplinary action and ongoing discriminatory practices underscore the need for robust oversight and accountability mechanisms.
Support us!
Client and family support, advocacy, and community initiatives are solely funded from philanthropic investment and community support. Here is how your donations can support our work:
$15k - send the Full Picture Justice staff to the Capital Case Defense Seminar
$10k - fund the summer Youth Restorative Justice Leadership Internship
$5k - train and mentor 30 participants to become Healing Circle Keepers
$1K - training for and facilitating Reconciliation Circles
$400 - support one month of the Treasure Island Healing Circle
$100 - buy holiday gifts for a client’s family
$75 - offer dinner for one of the Mission Healing Circle meetings
$25 - provide one hour of hands-on tech training for systems-impacted people
Recurring Donations
Recurring donations provide a steady stream of revenue that enables us to plan and execute our programs with confidence. Please consider a monthly donation.
