Check out CURB’s statement “There is no such thing as the wrong prison to close,” following efforts to stop the closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP), in Blythe, CA, which is slated to close by 2025. We call on Blythe's leaders to dream bigger for their community. Read the statement here

From the statement:

“California deserves praise for closing prisons across the state. Prison closures are the morally and fiscally responsible response to reductions in the incarcerated population, failing infrastructure, and ongoing harm that the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) creates for those inside prisons on a daily basis. Prison closure is also consistent with findings (bit.ly/23lao-LINK IN BIO) from the state’s own Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). This is why Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) fully supports plans to close Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP) along with additional prisons to prevent the continued human and economic costs of incarceration…

Concerns about prison closure are heightened by the state’s poor planning. In absence of a plan from CDCR, in February 2023, CURB published a Prison Closure Roadmap (bit.ly/CURBroadmap LINK IN BIO) to support any city or town with a prison in shifting the local economy and community away from a perceived reliance on incarceration, and toward healthy and life-affirming investments in services, infrastructure and high road jobs. The Roadmap introduces a “decarceral just transition” framework that provides concrete recommendations for the state to effectively support job creation, as well as people leaving prison, by investing in areas like job training, housing assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment services, and much more. Another important aim is to direct funding to marginalized communities who have been most impacted by the state’s reliance on prisons as an answer to public safety.”

#CloseCAPrisons
#CareNotCages