California's Prisons: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Save the Date: November 17, 2011

Capitol Weekly and the University of California present a conference on the state's correctional system.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The challenges of the state's penal system are well-known. Overcrowding, realignment, health-care flaws, pervasive violence, the clash of powerful political forces, privatization, the inability to instill lasting reforms, parole deficiencies, recidivism – and more; a comprehensive and informative discussion about California correctional issues. This will be a full-day program featuring four panel discussions and a keynote speaker during the lunch hour.

Confirmed speakers include:  Don Novey , former head of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association;  Jim Gomez , former state prisons director and now head of the California Association of Health Facilities;  Craig Brown , former director of the state Finance Department and former head of the California Youth Authority;  Jeanne Woodford , former warden of San Quentin Prison and former state prisons director;  Theresa Hughes , president and founder of Wings for Life;  Vanessa Nelson , co-director of the Life Support Alliance, a parole advocacy group;  Charles Pattillo , executive director of the California Prison Industry Authority;  David Warren , a long-time advocate for inmate rights in the Capitol and CDCR; UC Davis'  Sasha Abramsky , author of "American Furies: Crime, Punishment and Vengeance in the Age of Mass Imprisonment;"  Dan Macallair , executive director of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice.

The Conference will take place at the Crest Theatre, 10th and K Streets, Sacramento, Calif. 95814. Registration opens at 8 a.m., panels begin at 9 a.m.

Note: For further information, call Kathy Brown at 916 444-7665 ext 151, or contact her by email kathy.brown@capitolweekly.net

Sponsors include Wayne Hughes , an advocate of faith-based prison reform.  For details on sponsorships, call Tim Foster at Capitol Weekly, 916 444-7665 ext 131.

SOURCE Capitol Weekly