Ban the Chokehold in California

An open letter to Assemblymembers Phil Ting and David Chiu and Senator Scott Wiener:

Stop Crime SF urges our state representatives to enact a statewide ban on carotid artery restraints. We also ask you to support continued funding of charter schools for the incarcerated.

Ban the chokehold

Carotid artery restraints are already banned in San Francisco, but are still used in other California jurisdictions. While they may occasionally legitimately assist law enforcement in subduing struggling suspects, the danger of death or critical injury from the restraint is too serious given the complexity of application of such holds. A ban would create certainty for law enforcement officers by making it clear that such holds are prohibited, and thus reduce the chance of misfortune with terrible consequences. On balance, we believe such a ban is justified. Stop Crime SF believes the state legislature should enact legislation to prohibit such restraints.

Fund education for current and recently released inmates

We ask you to oppose budgetary legislation to eliminate funding for education of incarcerated and recently released adults. Five Keys Charter School was founded by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department to serve incarcerated and recently released adults. It now provides education to nine county Sheriff's Departments and 23 jails in communities throughout the state in addition to San Francisco (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Marin, Sonoma, Alameda).

The proposed legislation would prevent Five Keys from serving those over age 26 with a high school education. Additionally, 80 workforce development and reentry programs will have to stop providing their required educational services.

Approximately 60 percent of inmates in California jails lack a high school diploma. Earning a diploma from Five Keys reduces an inmate's risk of re-entering the criminal justice system to 1 in 5. When these inmates are released, they will return to their communities. Without education, many will likely return to a life of poverty or crime or both. We urge you to fully fund Five Keys' critical educational programs, not only to improve their lives but also to promote public safety.

Please keep us informed of your position on these important legislative matters.

Stop Crime SF Board of Directors

RESPONSE FROM ASSEMBLYMEMBER DAVID CHIU

June 23, 2020:

“I'm helping to author AB 1196 to forbid chokeholds and carotid restraints, and also support the Five Keys school.  Thanks for reaching out.  All my best.”