San Quentin Rehabilitation Center hosted the 2nd Annual Fiesta de El Salvador del Mundo on August 7, an event designed to promote Salvadoran culture, faith, and restorative justice principles. Organized in conjunction with the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the celebration aimed to facilitate identity reclamation and community building among incarcerated individuals.
Judge Julia V. Cervantes, presiding over the San Francisco County Community Justice Court, ordered an accused individual, facing felony and misdemeanor charges, to complete a two-week detox program and attend an in-person progress report hearing on August 11, 2026. This directive was issued despite the public defender’s assertions regarding the individual’s housing instability and multiple health concerns, which were presented as potential challenges to fulfilling the court’s requirements.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is considering Cynthia Rodríguez for the district attorney position, with a local resident expressing support for her candidacy. The endorsement cited Rodríguez’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and fairness as central to her qualifications for the role.
Dr. Elizabeth Ostler, founder of the Communal Theater Company, addressed the forthcoming theatrical production “SisterPlay,” a work directly informed by the custodial death of her sister, Lisa, at the Salt Lake County Jail. Ostler detailed the process of translating this personal experience into a dramatic narrative, emphasizing its role in public discourse regarding incarceration and medical neglect.
Diane Ortiz is a prosecutor with a deep understanding of the criminal justice system, restorative justice, and collaborative courts, making her an ideal candidate for judge in Yolo County.
Marlee Liss, a survivor advocate and founder of Survivors for Justice Reform, delivered a speech at Berkeley Law School advocating for restorative justice processes that prioritize healing and survivor agency, rather than punishment, in cases of sexual violence.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton called for a broader and more humane understanding of accountability in the criminal legal system, emphasizing the need for restorative justice initiatives to supplement traditional punishment and promote public safety.
A new report from The Sentencing Project finds that restorative justice diversion programs consistently produce better outcomes than traditional juvenile court processing, reducing reoffending, improving victim satisfaction and fostering more meaningful accountability.
Mule Creek State Prison, Facility-D has created a “Garden of Hope” to provide a space for personal transformation through horticulture, which has been successful in rehabilitating inmates and providing a sense of hope and purpose.
A Yolo County judge granted mental health diversion for an accused with a court-appointed diagnosis of mental illness, despite the prosecution’s objection, in order to provide the accused with the support needed to reintegrate into society.
A Yolo County Superior Court judge granted mental health diversion in a felony firearm case, despite the prosecution’s objection, due to the accused’s mental health diagnosis and the lack of infrastructure in prison to care for people with mental illness.
Three ambassadors from Represent Justice share their experiences of trauma, incarceration and healing, emphasizing that the system failed to rehabilitate them and that true change begins with listening, acknowledging harm and recognizing shared humanity.
Survivors of crime and criminal justice reform advocates are pushing for restorative justice and second chances, highlighting the need for updated sentencing laws that reflect the realities of survivors’ experiences and build public safety through healing and change, rather than punishment alone.
Restorative justice programs and other alternatives to incarceration can help prevent harm and promote healing, while keeping communities safe and reducing mass incarceration.
Represent Justice is a national organization that amplifies the voices of formerly incarcerated people through storytelling, challenging myths surrounding crime, punishment, and safety, and advocating for restorative justice.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to press felony charges against three UC Davis students in the Egghead case, despite the Shrem Museum’s willingness to consider restorative justice.
Adam Clausen, after being sentenced to 213 years in federal prison, has emerged as a national leader advocating for justice reform and second chances, using his story to inspire change and promote a justice system focused on restoration.
California legislators and formerly incarcerated firefighters are urging swift passage of the “Firefighting to Freedom” legislative package, which aims to increase pay, provide benefits, and create career opportunities for those who risk their lives battling the state’s wildfires while incarcerated.
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center hosted its first-ever Fiesta de San Salvador, a celebration of Centro-American and Salvadoran heritage that included music, dance, food, and a dialogue about rehabilitation, immigration policy, and the threat of deportation for many in the prison’s immigrant population.
Restorative justice offers a different approach to justice, focusing on healing and accountability rather than punishment, and has been shown to reduce recidivism and increase victim satisfaction.