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California Supreme Court Ruling Dramatically Reduces Who Can Be Jailed in Santa Clara County
The Kowalczyk ruling makes it illegal for judges to keep people in jail on unattainable bail. This decision should lead to thousands of people no longer in jail. At a time of an unprecedented budget crisis, this ruling has impact beyond jails and courts. This dramatic reduction in incarceration can also mean the County can move resources that otherwise were earmarked for an oversized incarceration budget into needed supports and programs the people in the county need now more
Featured Story
De-Bug’s story-telling highlights those closest to the issues who can share the most powerful, captivating, and insightful story.
Floyd And Gunny: A Bridge Between Where Floyd Is Now And The Home He Is Fighting To Return To
Rianna has been a part of our De-Bug community for years now as she has been advocating for her husband's freedom from California State Prison to return home with family. Recently, Rianna adopted a dog, Gunny. But not just any dog, a dog that Floyd helped train while inside Valley State Prison. This is Rianna's story of how Gunny became a part of their family and what Gunny symbolizes for Rianna and Floyd's journey to reunite their family.
Rianna Hildago
May 133 min read
The Common Racism of the Special Circumstance: Mr. William’s Fight Against Racial Bias and Life Without the Possibility of Parole
De-Bug organizers, Yolanda and Cynthia, joined Pillars of the Community Participatory Defense Hub in San Diego in support of Anthony Williams and his family. Anthony had a Racial Justice Act (RJA) evidentiary hearing challenging the racial disparities of Special Circumstance and Life Without the Possibility of Parole sentences. Below is Yolanda and Cynthia's court reporting from the 3 day RJA hearing.
Yolanda Gomez & Cynthia Dalcourt
Apr 245 min read
Community Demand to Santa Clara County Judges to Bring Back Zero Dollar Bail
Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to Santa Clara County judges calling on the reinstatement of Zero Dollar Bail - a policy that came through a state mandate during the height of COVID to reduce jail populations. It made misdemeanors and most low level felonies into zero dollar bail so people don't have to stay in jail simply due to their inability to pay. When it was in effect, the jail population went down dramatically (and no increase of crime). The state later l
SV De-Bug
Jan 277 min read
Protect Your People Public Safety & Justice Committee Community Report: A Sharing of Direct Experience, Analysis, and Critique of the Santa Clara County Criminal Legal System from January-August 2025
Editor's Note: The Protect Your People Public Safety & Justice Committee Community Report was assembled by De-Bug families and organizers...
SV De-Bug staff
Sep 18, 20251 min read
Silicon Valley De-Bug Prisoners Human Rights Advocacy Report 2016-2024
Our Process The majority of those incarcerated and their family members are afraid to file grievances within the jail. They fear...
SV De-Bug staff
Sep 12, 202531 min read
A Conversation on the Federal Takeover of D.C. Police with Qiana Johnson
Editor's Note: Raj Jayadev spoke to Qiana Johnson this week, our participatory defense family from the D.C. / DMV area. Qiana spoke on...
Raj Jayadev
Aug 16, 20251 min read
The Long Drive Home
Editor's Note: Although author Jamilah had made this kind of trip before, she was inspired to share her experience - one that is...
Jamilah Rosales-Webb
Aug 8, 20254 min read
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