System Failure (Part 3 of 4)

A groundbreaking documentary produced by the Ella Baker Center with our partner, WITNESS, "System Failure" exposes the horrific conditions and human rights violations in California's abusive youth prisons.

For more information -
ellabakercenter.org
ellabakercenter.org/bnb

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Activism
• Protest
• System
• Failure
• Books
• Bars
• Witness
• Ella
• Baker
• CYA
• CA
• Youth
• Authority
• Prison
• Violence
• Rehabilition
• Race

[anner442]

CYA is developing a prison society. No wonder CA has such a huge inmate population. Many of the current prisoners say that they were in CYA or YA as youths. We are training them to become prisoners. Something different needs to be done, let us look at successful alternatives Arnold.

[moduliciouz]

Dis is very sad...

[davidborjas7]

I was in CYA and all this is 110% true. I was in YTS and was on lockdown 24-7. I was placed in the hole there for arguing with staff. No explanation about why or when I was going to be let out. I was in that facility for 2yrs and never programed. I do not know how they got away wirg this for so long. Chino YTS is now closed, I wonder why. I was in the YA system for 4yrs and maxed out my time. CYA# 72540.

[cavabenzo]

All I can say is being from Canada and watching all this I'm VERY LUCKY cuz I coulda been anyone of ya'll , I feel for everyone of u but keep ya headz up cuz it was all bad but I bet ur all stronger in ur minds for it, I was far from an angel as a kid but I can relate to the physical and mental abuse ya'll talkin bout, just be glad it wasn't ur FAM and it was a total stranger doin this shit

[crazyspyder213]

@bakedtillcrispy i was there and staff were more scared of the wards. one staff had gotten stabbed a few years before i got to srcc. cya#59815 i was there from 89-91 but then again i was a hispanic gangmember so they dont fuck with us just the others.

[kenyatta9038]

I GREW UP IN C.Y.A..I GAVE THOSE FACILITIES 7 YEARS OF MY LIFE.WATCHING THIS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.SERIOUSLY. I WAS A STREET KID SO I ADAPTED.THOSE PLACES NEED TO BE SHUT DOWN GOD DAMN IT!!!!!!!!! THOSE KIDS IN THERE ARE DIEING.THEY LEFT ME IN THE HOLE FOR 1YR &7 MONTHS.1 HOUR OUT OF MY CELL A DAY.IT DIDN'T KILL ME.I'M STILL STANDING.I'M WORKING ON GOING BACK TO TALK TO THOSE INSIDE.I WAS 14 WHEN I ENTERED THOSE HELL HOLES.I'M NOW 34.

[SuperDebbieallen]

If your organization was so concerned about helping these youthful offenders become successful after their release, you need to help bring about legislation that allows these guys to parole to different communities. To me it is a set up to release these guys back to the same gang infested neighborhoods they came from, facing the same pressures,,etc, then giving them no transitional resources for education or jobs. THAT IS THE TRUE TRAGEDY!!! IT IS A SET UP FOR FAILURE!!!!!

[Lostsoulz1751]

i was in CYA's - O.H. Close, Paso Robles, and Dewitt Nelson from 2/88 until 8/92 . i was back in jail facing 4 counts of assault w/ a fire arm on 11/7/1992...i was 19 years old.

[BamBam41510]

Biggest union in california- Prison workers union. To much money coming from prisons for them to really try rehabilitation. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE SHOT

[bakedtillcrispy]

The staff made YA into a prison! They might noy have did it right away but slowly, why do YCOs (Youth Correction Officers)wear the same uniform as prison COs? The are in the same union, take the same training. Only way ti distunguish them from each other is the patch

[1975GILL]

63298 I said I would never go back to jail and never did, all this people crying and complaining please suck it up and do your time

[arc1929]

Man just close your eyes and pick a da*n toothbrush. Sh*t aint that hard.

[passion1080]

sick fuck cya

[TheArtistWill]

What's troubling is how many other youth facilities are like CYA that are screwing up the youth.

[lunafringe10]

aha, thats how ppl are being treated in the land of the "free". Californian Gulag,

[ApacheLife5465]

@inkaoner I took the same route. I was at S.R. then shot to Preston was at cedar then Juniper, Ironwood, greenbrier, Fir, then shot to buckeye. Worked in the Bakery the kitchen, and then the F.E.A.S.T.

[Airportris]

LOL the law... the law only exist for the poor and average people

[scobbey]

this really broke me down....if this is what life has to offer for those youths...as a young person and knowing myself, I would kill myself and I mean that seriously...

[inkaoner]

I ended up graduating from high school and got transfered up the hill to Ponderosa which is a fire camp training lodge. From there I ended up with a wildland firefighting certificate and transfered to Ventura Fire Camp. I was involved in 4 major fires one lasting a whole week. It was a new experience for me. The last thing on my mind was my troubled past, I actually felt like a normal citizen. My closing thoughts are you choose your future, one can only get tired of being locked up so many times

[inkaoner]

I am a success story of CyA. #78643 I went to Srcc Portola. Then they shot me to Preston(Ione Ca.)First went to Cedar then Arbor Lodge. From the moment I went to Arbor lodge they were on lockdown. I then put in a transfer request to go to Buckeye lodge which has a culinary arts program and work. I worked during the day and went to school in the evening. I then ended up working in a restaurant like job called the F.E.A.S.T. which cooked and served teachers and staff only

[scumgod13]

mg5679-I agree wholeheartedly, but some don't get that choice. That one kid was playing with lighter fluid.You gonna tell me you never done anything stupid as a child.I used to put lighter fluid in my mouth and breath fire. Of course I was 7-8 years old trying to be Gene Simmons of KISS, but shit can happen.All the kids in there aren't killers and rapist!

[mg5679]

Chose college over prison

[mg5679]

Quit breaking the law.

[geraldineski]

Same thing in MA. The kids leave the "program" (group home) at age 18, and the next time they get in trouble they go into the adult system.

[mikertones]

good video

[kaash83]

Sad and depressing indeed. Really makes you see things from a different perspective.