California Governor Signs PATH Act into Law: A Win for Justice Reform

California Governor Signs PATH Act into Law

A Win for Rehabilitation

October 2023

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent signing of the Providing Access to Healing (PATH) Act, Assembly Bill 581, marks a significant milestone in criminal justice reform. The bill, championed by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and co-sponsored by GRIP Training Institute, Transformative In-Prison Workgroup (TWP), and Initiate Justice, promises to revolutionize access to rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals across the state.

Equitable access to rehabilitative programs

The PATH Act addresses the hurdles faced by community-based organizations (CBOs) like GRIP in delivering crucial rehabilitative programs to incarcerated individuals. By mandating a consistent statewide clearance process, the law streamlines administrative procedures, saving time and resources for both CBOs and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

“This bill will enable community-based program providers like myself to go back into the prisons…to offer our transformative rehabilitation programs that ultimately prevents violence.”

Uniform Approval Process for Formerly Incarcerated Providers

The PATH Act establishes a uniform statewide approval process for formerly incarcerated program providers, promoting fairness and equitable access to vital rehabilitation services. Bernard Moss, a GRIP facilitator and area lead said, “This bill will enable community-based program providers like myself to go back into the prisons with less administrative headaches, and more time to offer our transformative rehabilitation programs that ultimately prevents violence.”

Impact on Rehabilitation and Public Safety

Kenneth Hartman, Director of Advocacy for the Transformative in-Prison Workgroup, emphasizes the importance of rehabilitative programs in facilitating successful reentry and reducing recidivism rates. “Rehabilitative programs are vital to the successful transition of incarcerated people from prison back into their communities,” he said. “Breaking down unnecessary barriers and providing a smoother pathway for program providers is in everyone’s best interest.”

“Breaking down unnecessary barriers and providing a smoother pathway for program providers is in everyone’s best interest.”

The signing of the PATH Act represents a collaborative effort to build a fairer and more just California, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their incarceration status, have access to the transformative programs necessary for successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society.