Beyond Prisons Day
Fresno Youth Tell Legislators to Stop Prison Expansions
Writings by “The Know” Contributors

In late March a youth delegation from Fresno, California took a bus to Sacramento to participate in Beyond Prisons Day, an action that drew over 300 people to the capitol to show California legislators why prison expansion is a harmful policy direction. Mai Der Vang, coordinator of the “The Know” Youth Media Initiative, asked the youth to report back on their experience, and what they would tell Arnold Schwarzenegger if they had five minutes alone with the Governor. Here's what they had to say…

The Power of the People
By Quenette

Beyond Prisons Day was definitely a great experience for me. I had never been part of a movement nor had I ever thought I would be part of one. When I arrived at the state capitol in Sacramento, I was quite amazed at how many people were standing in front of it. I knew that it would be a huge group, however, I didn't think over 300 people would come together to protest against the expansion of prisons. Instantly, I felt a sudden burst of power. Finally, I realized I really had a voice in our community and that it was going to be heard. As our group made our way to the steps of the state capitol building, I felt empowered. There I stood in amazement. I, Quenette Martinez, finally felt I was important. At that moment, I realized I was part of a community and that my thoughts and opinions mattered. Now, whether or not they will be considered in further bills is left up to the legislators. Although I didn't have the chance to speak directly with a legislator, I did speak to people who are aides and secretaries for the legislators. As I conversed with the aides and secretaries, I clearly stated my opposition, as well as alternatives to expanding prisons. I made sure I explained why treatment centers and rehabilitation centers would be way more effective and not as costly. Expanding prisons will only result in more drama for prisoners and their family. How is it that we can agree to expand prisons and agree on more family love at the same time? To me, that is a question that may never be answered with words, but hopefully it will be answered with actions, actions that will immediately cease the expansion of prisons.

Listen Up
By Ariel

If I had 5 minutes to talk to Arnold, I would tell him about the issues that teens and people in my community face.
 
First, I would hurry up and introduce myself, then I would just take off with the questions I want answers to. I would say Mr. Schwarznegger, when I looked at the incoming freshmen at my high school, I see they are becoming less motivated about things. Also, even when I look back at my friends who have graduated before me, I really don't see them doing anything with their lives. It's like they go to city college, but they either drop out or just aren't that focused about it as they were when they first began it.
 
I think this happens because there aren't enough programs for motivated kids because you have to start when you are young, so I think it would be good if kids can have these programs where you start at a certain age and end at say their senior year.
 
Basically, what I'm saying is we don't need fresh beds (in juvenile hall) waiting for the youth. We need fresh dorm room beds waiting for them on their way to college.

Building Prisons Will Only Increase Crime
By Marcus

If I had five minutes to talk to the governor, I would tell him how I feel about the prison expansion program, how it would affect our communities, and how I feel that it would fail, that crime rates would most likely soar because the children wouldn't have anything to look forward to and would actually turn to crime in an effort to gain a source of income.
 
My experience in the capitol was very interesting and I feel I accomplished something, even though I didn't actually speak with a legislator. But Keya, Kiya, and I spoke with the aide. We let her know how we felt about the issue and how the money being spent to keep prisoners could go towards our education and they could open up more job opportunities, or at least training that could benefit us in the long run. We also talked about how they were misusing the 3 strikes system, locking up people who aren't even a threat to society, and how people were doing anywhere from 10-25 years in prison because he stole some pants or some food to feed himself or his family. But a person who beat someone halfway to death or a rapist might get approved for parole, yet he returns to doing what he was locked up for. 

Arnold Can't Answer These Questions
By Jesse

As I begin to talk to the governor, I began asking him questions no one on earth would ask. Why politics? LOL. Do you really know the issues of Californians? Why more prisons in California? You aren't willing to just help lock up huh? Why give California's youth no hope for the future? Like going to college and getting a job. Because you already got a bed for them in the California Youth Authority system? Or is it because you're scared of the potential we have to run tomorrow? Why do people steal? Why do they lie? Why do they kill? For every action there's a reason. Like why you are governor. Is it a publicity stunt or are you for real? Maybe you don't have what it takes to run California now that you've got a taste of politics. Do you think that politics is the same as acting or entertaining? Make sure you go to bed at night knowing why there is an excessive amount of overcrowding in California's prison system. Why are you just looking me, don't you have anything to say? Why? Why? Why?
 

A Politician In the Worst Way
By Carlos

If I had a chance to talk to the governor, I would tell him his procedures, instead of helping the state, is just wasting money. He should think more before taking these kinds of actions, such as building a prison, like the one currently being built.
 
Maybe he is trying to bring a solution to all the crimes committed currently and all that, but I don't think his solution is the best. He is desperate to take some action as a politician, which I think he is not, even though he does all the kinds of things a politician would do, which is ignore the real people and then come out with stupid solutions.
 
I would also ask him to please try to do something that really benefits the public and see the human side of the whole project and how it is a mistake to stereotype all these young people because they think they will all become criminals.
 

No More Broken Promises
By Jaleesa

If I had a chance to speak to Arnold, I would be very brief but to the point. My main concern is with our school system and how they're deteriorating due to lack of funding. He (since the beginning) has promised funding for California's schools, but has failed to complete that task. For this, I resent him, all because he's taking an enjoyable school experience from me. We don't have enough counselors in our high schools. Because of lack of counselors, I and hundreds (maybe thousands) of students have not had the adequate guidance that we have needed. My schedules for my freshman and sophomore years were incorrect and there was no time for counselors to fix it. Now this failure to have these resources has made me fall behind in high school. If he's so fixed on children's education, graduation, and well being, then shouldn't schools be the highest priority on his to-do list?
 
Either way, I can hardly stand the man. He's nothing more than a puppet being told what to do. What do actors know about politics? What do actors know about what's going on in our lives? If he really cared, like he says he does, he would show that he knew how to do something besides pissing people off.
 

Disrespected Our Vote
By Kristina

My parents voted for you and I feel you are disrespecting me and my parents by using their tax money to lock up my peers and family. By building a juvenile hall and more jails, you will be crushing our hope for our and our children's future. I think they would not appreciate it if you locked up their grandchildren for no reason. Would you?
 

Why Don't You Respect Hard Working Immigrants?
By Carolina

If I had the chance to tell Arnold something, I don't really know what I would tell him. It would be difficult and hard for me because I don't really like him, since he said he does not like immigrants of Mexico, I stopped admiring him. So that's why I don't know if I would be able to say something. I guess I would ask him if he forgot already that he was an immigrant too. Also, I would like to know why he does not like immigrants if they come to this country to succeed, to work, to have a better future. I think that's what I would ask him.
 
But on the topic of building more prisons, I would tell him that half of the people in prison, including teenagers, is because of the government. They give too much privilege to teenagers and especially kids. Kids grow up with the idea that they have the power of everything, that parents cannot put their hands on them, or do something to them. So that is when kids start acting and doing things wrong. Everything for the parents goes out of their hands and they don't know what to do. The government, what does it do? Nothing, but it puts the kids in jail or punishes them with something that would make them worse instead of helping them and providing more services to the community. Governments would rather spend money on something un-useful than something productive.

 

What Up and Get to Work
By Jerome

If I had 5 minutes to talk to Arnold, what would I say? Well, me, I would say “what up” and how are you doing because I am a big fan, and there are a lot of things we have to talk about, so let's get to talking. The streets in my neighborhood have so much beef, and it needs to stop, and you are the only one that can stop it. So get to work. And I think you are letting a lot of your fans down because you are trying to make all the kids who have done something wrong go to juvenile hall. I think that is wrong because some of these kids are not even doing crimes. Man, I wish you were in my shoes, than you can hear what I'm saying.
 

I Can Change the World, and I'll Start with California
By Laqusha

Going to the capitol to talk to the legislators was amazing, although we didn't actually talk to them. I am very proud to say I was part of this movement. There were about 250 to 300 of us. We walked a seven block demonstration to a church. At the church, we were taught how to be a “lobbyist”, like how to talk, when to talk, and how to be very specific. We also ate lunch and made plans about what we wanted to say to the legislators. When we finished eating, we walked back to the Capitol where we all huddled together to take a huge picture. Once we were done with the pictures, the rally got started. It was amazing. There were a lot of great speakers that got me very pumped. People also used poetry to get their point across. Being at that rally gave me a very fulfilling rush. It was awesome! Even young people spoke. They gave me hope. “This is just the beginning!” I thought. They made me want to run up there and just speak my mind. This was an incredible experience for me. I would love to do this again. I felt like I could change the world, well, I felt we were changing California. I hope what went on and everything that was said didn't go in one ear and out the other. I want to see change. Change in our city, change in our state, change in our country, and change in the world!
 

Never in a Million and Two Years
By Patrice

Man! What can't I say about going to the Capitol? Where do I start? It was an amazing experience. Never in a million and 2 years would I even think about going to talk to a legislator face to face. From the time I walked into the doors of the Capitol, I walked in nervous as I don't know what. From having to empty my pockets to looking at the beautiful floors, walls, and I'm not even going to talk about the ceiling.
 
As a person of my age and gender, and let's not talk about my race, I felt so powerful, so strong. I felt as if I could take on the world and make a difference. I felt that if some hearts were changed, at least one, I would still be overjoyed. It was a once in a lifetime experience. I would love to do it again in a heart beat. I know the next time I go, it will be ten times better than this one. That's what I'm looking forward to now.
 

It's Our Future
By Kiya

The experience at the Capitol was a good fun experience. It was an opportunity for people to speak out about what they want for young peoples' future. I was able to speak out on behalf of what I wanted and what I felt would make my neighborhood better and safer for the children who are afraid to walk to a corner and meet a friend, or go to the store or park.
 

Hitting Them Hard in Sacramento
By LaKenya

My experience at the Capitol was very extraordinary! There were about 350 people there. Our day started out very nice. First we went to the capitol, then we left and went to a church on 17th  street. There we prepped on how we were going to talk and the issues we were going to talk about. Later, the instructors split us up into groups. I was in a group with Quenette and Patrice. Then it was time for lunch. We had some very delicious sandwiches. But that's beside the point. When we marched back to the capitol, we went inside, passed security and up the elevator. My two friends and I went in to four offices. We talked about how instead of building new juvenile halls, we should spend that money on buying new school books or new recreational centers for youth. Then we stated if we had more youth centers, the kids wouldn't have extra time on their hands to do negative things with their life. We also spoke briefly on the 3 strikes law. I think my friends and I hit them hard with our arguments. I also think legislators will really take what we said into consideration.
 
After the trip, we went back on the charter bus and came home to Fresno. As we got off the bus, we thanked the driver and the supervisor of the trip. We were also on the news. Yes, we were on there, but it was for a brief 5 minutes. But that's ok. We got our point across, and everyone that watched the 10pm Fox news saw what we did for Fresno!
 

Fun But Scary
By Keya

My experience was fun but yet a little scary. I met new people and marched a block. We marched to a church where we split up and I didn't like that part at all. Me, Kiya, and Marcus and 2 other people, and a girl named Heidi.
 

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