(Sacramento) Yesterday, after a month long summer recess, the legislature reconvened and passed AB 1115 off the Senate Floor and sent it to Governor Brown’s desk for his signature. AB 1115 will allow those convicted of a realignment offense prior to 2011 to apply for expungement relief.
“In the spirit of the “Imagine Justice” concert held last night in the Capitol, AB 1115 will give the State of California another opportunity to move in the right direction of what Californians truly wanted when they voted for realignment in 2011,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, who chairs the Assembly Public Safety Committee and is the author of AB 1115.
According to Van Jones, CNN contributor, “California has a lot to be proud of, but also a lot to be ashamed of — it led the way on mass incarceration.”
This sentiment was the essence for the concert held by Oscar and Grammy award winning artist Common, who stated: “Redemption and rehabilitation are possible only when we as Americans make sure that people in prisons are inspired by what they can do and not reminded by what they can’t do.”
AB 1115 will provide prisoners, who are released, the chance of not being reminded of their mistakes when they seek to expand their opportunities for gainful employment, housing and a fresh start.