No New SF Jail Coalition’s “8 Guiding Steps Towards Ending Jailing”
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As the No New SF Jail Coalition, we are proud of our recent victory in getting the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Vicki Hennessy to reject $80 million dollars of state money to construct a new jail in San Francisco. It sets an important precedent showing that it is possible to defeat jail expansion plans. However, we recognize that the work of stopping racist jail and police policies and practices in San Francisco is ongoing. People of color and poor people are being targeted by the violence of everyday policing and being killed by the cops in increasing numbers. They are arrested and jailed at higher rates, and this is all part of forced displacement from San Francisco as a racist gentrification process threatens to take over the city. We must work to counter the violence of policing and jailing by addressing the racist roots of these systems. The work of our Coalition must continue as part of an ongoing struggle to reverse the direction that San Francisco is moving in and build a collective vision of a city where racist policing and jailing policies are replaced by community policies and services that provide all residents with access to what they need to thrive.
Members of our coalition are currently part of a working group convened by the city to “re-envision” the jail replacement project. Here, we are advocating for the permanent closure of the current jail at 850 Bryant and real investment in the health of communities most impacted by imprisonment. We refuse to play a tokenistic role in the working group. Below are some of our coalition’s guiding points for the proposal created by the City Workgroup to Re-Envision the Jail Replacement Project. This is just one aspect in our shared struggle towards building a future for San Francisco free of the violence of imprisonment and policing. Concrete reforms are necessary to build this future and also improve the conditions for people in prison now. We see these points as offering concrete steps towards ending caging in San Francisco and building stronger resources and more transformative relationships within communities.
Open facilities: People are free to move and are not under surveillance or isolated. People are treated with dignity and respect as patients or residents. Any facilities built should not be locked facilities.
People in the programs or facilities have selfdetermination over use of the services, which should be traumainformed and emphasize harm reduction, meeting people where they’re at, and where accountability can be determined through joint processes.
Contracts for the construction and operation of any programs or facilities should contribute to the reinvestment of resources to San Francisco’s neighborhoods, communities, and workers. Contracts should be made with local grassroots organizations that have proven experience in community service, advocacy, or organizing. The City has divested from many community based services and programs alternative projects should work to reverse this trend.
Any programs and facilities should not be operated or supervised by the Sheriff’s Department or have Police positioned as gatekeepers to the services. Programs and facilities should be operated by community based or public agencies that also provide services in other contexts. Staff cannot charge people with in-custody crimes.
Provide equitable access to care: Any new programs or facilities created should be accessible to all and provide treatment on demand, regardless of whether or not the person has come into contact with law enforcement, been arrested, or been diverted. Similarly these programs and facilities should work towards being accessible to all people who have been arrested, regardless of type of charge or other classifications.
Incorporate bail and bond reform: People of color, poor people, people who are unhoused, trans people, people with physical and invisible disabilities, substance users, and people with mental health needs are targeted by policing and jails. Bail and bond reform must be implemented in a way that counters this structural oppression.
Create pathways towards permanent and sustainable housing and basic needs: Programs should recognize that secure housing, jobs, education, food, and health care are essential to individual and community health, not just short term services like shelters. All residents, especially those seeking services or returning from jail or prison, must be supported and empowered to contribute to their communities.
Completed construction of new facilities or program implementation is not prioritized over the immediate and permanent closure of the jail at 850 Bryant. Proposals for new programs and facilities should work to coordinate with bail/bond reform and other efforts to close the jail at 850 Bryant as quickly as possible, without waiting for the construction of another facility.
