Prison Reform Left Women Behind. Then Prosecutors Stepped In.

Prison Reform Left Women Behind. Then Prosecutors Stepped In.

In late 2023, Dena Hernandez returned to her room inside the women’s prison in Chowchilla, Calif., and spotted a packet in the mail. It contained a letter saying the Los Angeles district attorney was looking for incarcerated women who might be eligible for shortened sentences. “Your case,” the letter read, “has been identified for initial review.” Ms. Hernandez was in shock. She was 13 years into a 28-year prison sentence for carjacking. Hours a…

Highlighting efforts to fill a gender gap in second-look sentencing reform efforts

The New York Times has this notable new article about second-look sentencing reform efforts in the states.  The full headline highlights the article’s themes: “Prison Reform Left Women Behind. Then Prosecutors Stepped In.  California passed the nation’s first prosecutor-initiated resentencing law in 2018. Few women benefited from these laws, until now.”  I recommend the lengthy article in full, and here are some excerpts: In late 2023, Dena Her…