Compassionate Release Update

Recently there were two victories on the compassionate release front. Regina Edwards was the first, a lesbian living with AIDS who had her requests for release denied twice before it was finally approved. She had been sentenced under the three strikes law for non-violent petty theft. As her second strike, she was technically ineligible for probation or parole. After several phone calls and newspaper articles, the D.A. retroactively struck down the offense that fell under the three strikes law and Regina was released. She is now living with and being cared for by her partner.

It appears that Regina's release may have started the ball rolling. More recently, Mary Armstrong, another PWA, was also released, with much less of a struggle.

For more information about the lawsuit for better medical care and the compassionate release program, or to get involved, contact the California Coalition for Women Prisoners at 415- 255-7036, ext. 313, or 510-834-5657, ext. 3150.

Thanks to Judy Greenspan for much of this information.