Grateful. Excited. Relieved. Planting Justice showed up hard today at the Alameda County Superior Courthouse in support of a staff member who is STILL on parole after 3 years of full-time employment at PJ. He was facing a minor parole violation that would have landed him back in jail, unneccessarily. Our presence in the courthouse, our letters from staff, directors, and case managers, made all the difference according to his attorney. He will be out Monday, in care of and supported by his community and family, and able to continue his deep contributions to PJs food and economic justice work as a grassroots organizer, rather than sitting in jail! About 6 months ago, we had a similar successful showing that convinced the DA and Judge to return another long-time staff member to his community instead of prison for a parole violation, and THIS time, the DA certainly remembered us! She clearly recognized that the employment and support that PJ provides works to help people stay out of jail, and this time around, was quick to recommend that the accused be returned to Planting Justice instead of jail!!!!!!!! Success.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 00:41:29 +0000