Catholic Bishop Goes to Prison

North Hollywood, Calif.: December 11, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The following is submitted by Cross Over, a program of the Center For Restorative Justice Works:

WHAT:
Parishioners from the Dioceses of Orange, San Bernardino and San Gabriel will join in worship with women serving sentences at the California Institution For Women. The gathering will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Hosted by Bishop Zavala and Chaplain Maryloyola Yetkey, this special mass and reception invites those on the "outside" to cross over to join women "inside" in prayer, conversation and celebration.

This shared faith experience is being coordinated by Cross Over, a program that mobilizes the Catholic community to advocate for human rights within the prison system and to build positive relationships between women on the inside and those on the outside. Cross Over is a program of the Center For Restorative Justice Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, families and communities separated by crime and the criminal justice system.

WHY:
With over 1.3 million women in the jail, prison, probation or parole system, many families understand the shame, stigma and separation of having a sister, daughter, mother or friend in prison. Nationally, more than 65% of women in state prisons report being parents of children under 18, and 62% are sentenced to prisons more than 100 miles from their families. Over 70% of women in prison were sentenced for non- violent offences, 73% have a clinical diagnosis of mental illness, and up to 80% of female prisoners report histories of sexual abuse. Catholics are called by the Gospels to respond to those in prison. The Center For Restorative Justice Works believes that the community has been divided by a retributive system of justice that destroys relationships, disregards children of incarcerated parents, and does not promote reconciliation or hope for positive outcomes upon release. Cross Over advocates for systemic change by mobilizing the Catholic community to enter into conversation with those on the "inside" and transform their awareness about our system of justice.

WHEN:
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:
California Institution For Women, 16756 Chino- Corona Road,
Corona, CA 92878

THE MEDIA IS INVITED TO COVER

Representatives of the media must receive clearance from the prison prior to the visit. For prison clearance, contact:

PIO:
Robert Patterson, robert.patterson@cdcr.ca.gov
or
Kyrie Owens, kyri.ownes@cdcr.ca.gov
909 606.4921 phone 909 393.8061 fax