Family Communication Act Passes Assembly 77-0 Thank you for helping make this possible.

Dear Cliford,

Earlier this year, Families for Books Not Bars member Marta* visited her son Omar* at Heman G. Stark, one of California's remote youth prisons. While always anxious about her son's safety inside the notorious Stark prison, Marta was unprepared for the devastating news when she arrived: two weeks earlier, Omar had attempted suicide. Because the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) failed to inform her, she was unable to support her son in his time of need.

We're one step closer to making sure that moms like Marta are no longer shut out when their involvement is most crucial: Yesterday, the California Assembly passed our Family Communication and Rehabilitation Act in a 77-0 vote!

One of the key provisions of the Family Communication Act (SB 1250 by Senator Leland Yee) would require California youth prisons to notify parents of a suicide attempt or medical emergency within 24 hours. It would also require the DJJ to allow youth to communicate with their families in their native language and provide writing materials to help them stay in touch with family and clergy.

This is a major victory for the youth still held in DJJ prisons, and for the family members who struggle to support them. Thank you for helping pass this bill -- our Books Not Bars family members and activists sent hundreds of messages to their state Assemblymembers in the days leading up to the vote. With your help, we've convinced both Republicans and Democrats alike to help imprisoned youth stay connected with their families and communities.

The Family Communication Act will soon be on its way to the Governor's desk.  With the budget impasse in full swing, Governor Schwarzenegger is holding off on signing any bills for now, but we've been working behind the scenes to make sure he knows how important this legislation is for the youth still inside DJJ prisons. We believe our bill will become law shortly after the budget passes -- stay tuned!

And again, thank you for being a part of our Books Not Bars movement.

Justice for families,

Zachary Norris
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

*Names have been changed to protect the family's privacy.