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Community Based Treatment, Not Jail Replacement: A New Plan of Care for LA County

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — Black people with mental illnesses are already overrepresented in our jails and prisons.

Published

6 years ago

February 12, 2019

By Sentinel News Service

Locked buildings, cells and sheriffs providing security – sound like a Mental Health Center? It doesn’t, because it’s not. In response to Federal investigations of the poor conditions within LA County Jails, and the increase of imprisoned people with mental illnesses which has now reached 70 percent of the jail population, Supervisors of LA County planned to vote February 12th on a new “Mental Health Jail,” formally known as the “Consolidated Correctional Treatment Facility,” instead of diverting people who shouldn’t be in jail in the first place. Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Janice Hahn have now recently moved to reject the Mental Health Jail in favor of the “Mental Health Treatment Center,” amidst public outcry of concerns for human rights violations. However, there are concerns that the previous jail construction plans will continue on, now just under a new name.

Black people with mental illnesses are already overrepresented in our jails and prisons, and are the most vulnerable to being incarcerated due to the historical legacy of racism and societal oppression in this country. Almost a third of the L.A. County jail population is Black, many having mental health disabilities which the new facility is being constructed to serve. Proposal of the new “Mira Loma” women’s jail, also to be voted on by LA Supervisors on Feb. 12th, is believed to disproportionately impact Black women as well. LA County is already known for housing the largest jail in the world, and we cannot stand for the continued warehousing of community members who deserve dignity, better solutions and real care.

We are writing this as BEAM, a collective of Black counselors, community organizers, therapists, yoga teachers and healing justice practitioners dedicated to the wellness of Black communities here in Los Angeles and across the world. As professionals, we are all too familiar with the debilitating impact jails have on the mental health of members of our communities. Jails contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, depression and accession of the symptoms of those already living with mental illness; which can include mania; and complex trauma. Jails are not an effective way to support our communities, especially the Black communities that BEAM works with. Many entities, including the World Health Organization, agree with this statement.

If we are truly concerned about human rights and dignity, a return to the old “mental asylums,” is not the answer in 2019. Having the police, probation and corrections departments as a first point of access to mental health services only serves to further trigger our people to feel criminalized and prevents them from accessing the care that they need. In contrast to a jail, or even a large-scale locked mental health hospital, there is much research that shows that an investment in diversion programs coupled with community-based health centers, reentry services and mental health literacy can transform communities. This evidence shows that jail diversion services coordinated with community providers result in decreased time in jail and prison, fewer and later arrests, and increased global level of functioning for individuals with serious mental illness. These effective, humane, and even cost-efficient alternative solutions are easily within reach.

Supervisors, we urge you to make the right decision this Tuesday and go back to the drawing table, listen to your constituents, and utilize the vast array of organizations, leaders and researchers that are committed to doing the work to find alternative solutions that are social justice informed. The risk of the devastating generational impact on Los Angeles community members who are incarcerated and their families is too high, and we believe there is a better way forward. It’s time to create a new plan of care for LA County.

This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Sentinel.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2025

Oakland Post

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”