Back to the Start

Back to the Start Producing narratives by incarcerated people to highlight our nation's systemic and racial inequities.

Policy Update 📣Our priority bills are going to the governor's desk, but they have not been enacted into law yet! Please ...
09/03/2026

Policy Update 📣
Our priority bills are going to the governor's desk, but they have not been enacted into law yet! Please visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/advocacy-legislation to learn more about our legislative priorities and find template letters of support to send to Governor Gavin Newsom‼️

✨Policy Highlight✨"That is why SB 1009 matters to me. A young person can do something wrong and still be a child worth s...
08/26/2026

✨Policy Highlight✨
"That is why SB 1009 matters to me. A young person can do something wrong and still be a child worth saving. When there is a safe alternative to juvenile hall, California should choose the path that keeps a young person connected to family, treatment, education, and community. We shouldn’t wait until a kid becomes an incarcerated adult to finally ask what could have been done differently," says Jessie Milo. SB 1009 would ensure that juveniles are given the least restrictive appropriate environment and would reduce the use of confinement in the juvenile justice system by prioritizing noncustodial dispositions while awaiting court hearings.

🔗 Visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/advocacy-legislation to learn more about the bill and what YOU can do to support!

✨Policy Highlight✨This excerpt written by a Back to the Start program participant (S.S.) is a harrowing testimony to the...
08/24/2026

✨Policy Highlight✨
This excerpt written by a Back to the Start program participant (S.S.) is a harrowing testimony to the mental costs of facing gun violence in one's youth. AB 2247 would provide funding for youth survivors and witnesses of gun violence to receive free, timely mental health and counseling services regardless of immigration status or prior/current involvement with the juvenile justice system.

🔗 Visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/ to learn more about the bill and read program co-lead, Jessie Milo's, Op-Ed in the LA Times about the importance of AB 2247 📣

✨Policy Highlight✨Jason Jackson's narrative brings to light the struggles of growing up hungry and demonstrates the impo...
08/21/2026

✨Policy Highlight✨
Jason Jackson's narrative brings to light the struggles of growing up hungry and demonstrates the importance of AB 1969. This bill would reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility for children and famlies who are disproportionally affected by intergenerational poverty.

🔗 Visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/advocacy-legislation to learn more about the bill and what YOU can do to support!

Over the past few weeks, Back to the Start has stood in solidarity with fellow organizations and coalitions in order to ...
08/20/2026

Over the past few weeks, Back to the Start has stood in solidarity with fellow organizations and coalitions in order to advocate for our priority legislation and other bills supporting upstream solutions to the cradle-to-prison pipeline. On August 4th, interns Colina and Jennifer joined the Ella Baker Center for an impactful lobby day. On August 8th, Colina and Aly worked with Initiate Justice to lobby for AB 1851. On August 17th and 18th, our Executive Director, Dr. Jenny Espinoza, attended the California Justice Coalition policy convening and lobby day.

🔗 Visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/advocacy-legislation to learn more about our priority legislation and what YOU can do to support!

✨Policy Highlight✨Kojo Clutchette is a Back to the Start co-lead and program graduate. His story illustrates why AB 1659...
08/19/2026

✨Policy Highlight✨
Kojo Clutchette is a Back to the Start co-lead and program graduate. His story illustrates why AB 1659 is so impactful; this bill would ensure that students exiting juvenile hall have adequate support as they transition from court schooling during detention and back to their home school district upon release, closing a gap in the current transition process.

🔗 Visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/advocacy-legislation to learn more about the bill and what YOU can do to support!

08/18/2026

✨Policy Highlight✨
From ending endless probation to supporting housing stability for impacted youth, these are bills that Back to the Start is proud to support. These bills earned honorable mention by our incarcerated team members in aligning with our mission to uplift upstream solutions to the cradle-to-prison pipeline.

🔗 Visit our website at https://www.backtothestart.org/advocacy-legislation to learn more about our legislative priorities and what YOU can do to support!

On July 25th, Back to the Start's incarcerated co-leads and summer interns hosted a table at San Quentin's Day of Peace....
08/11/2026

On July 25th, Back to the Start's incarcerated co-leads and summer interns hosted a table at San Quentin's Day of Peace. “I learned about a lot of inspiring programs that San Quentin residents have either already piloted or are working to launch,” said Sydni Stewart. Many attractions filled the yard including a car show, a dance performance by the San Quentin Aztec dance group, and musical performances by outside artists.

Learn more about the history of the event and our narrative writing workshop at San Quentin at https://www.backtothestart.org/post/back-to-the-start-at-the-san-quentin-day-of-peace-2026

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