Bass and Beyond
THE PRISON ABOLITION MOVEMENT

Exposing Inequities

1971–Present

The West Coast is home to some of the world’s most notorious prisons. Explore how Black journalists in the region have pushed the issue of mass incarceration to the forefront of American consciousness, highlighting its disproportionate impact on Black communities. Their groundbreaking coverage sparked national conversations and brought attention to the urgent need for criminal justice reform.

Architects of the Abolition Movement

The prison abolition movement has long been a fixture of West Coast activism, driven by grassroots organizers, visionary leaders, and the Black press. This region, which incarcerates a disproportionate number of people relative to its population, has become both a battleground and a beacon for abolitionist thought. California, Oregon, and Washington collectively house some of the largest and most notorious prison systems in the United States. Yet, within these confines, resistance has flourished, and incarcerated individuals have built media platforms to amplify their voices.

The West Coast’s prison abolition movement has been shaped by a lineage of leaders who recognize the carceral system as a tool of systemic racism. One of the most notable figures is Angela Davis, a professor, author, and activist based in California. Davis, whose writings on the prison-industrial complex have become foundational texts for abolitionists, called for dismantling prisons as a form of racial and social justice. Her 2003 book Are Prisons Obsolete? laid the groundwork for reimagining public safety without incarceration.

Washington, DC – October 26, 2015: Dorsey Nunn, Co-Founder, All of Us or None, speaks at a press conference for coalition’s Ban The Box Petition Delivery to The White House. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for ColorOfChange.org)

Ruth Wilson Gilmore, another influential figure, has been a cornerstone of abolitionist theory and practice. A scholar and co-founder of Critical Resistance, an organization dedicated to ending the reliance on prisons, Gilmore coined the term “carceral geography” to describe how incarceration is tied to land, labor, and racial capitalism. Critical Resistance, headquartered in Oakland, has inspired countless activists and groups across the region.

On the ground, organizations like All of Us or None, led by formerly incarcerated people such as Dorsey Nunn, have taken direct action to fight for the rights of individuals impacted by incarceration. From advocating for “Ban the Box” legislation to promoting voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, these groups have reshaped policies while keeping abolition at the forefront.

The Role of the Black Press in Amplifying Abolitionist Voices

The Black press has historically been a powerful ally in the prison abolition movement, exposing the injustices of the carceral system and amplifying calls for reform. Publications like The San Francisco Sun-Reporter and The Los Angeles Sentinel have documented the stories of incarcerated individuals, systemic abuses in prisons, and the broader implications of mass incarceration on Black communities.

During the 1970s, the Black Panther Party’s newspaper became a key platform for prison resistance. The Panthers, headquartered in Oakland, routinely published articles by incarcerated members and allies, exposing police brutality, unfair trials, and inhumane prison conditions. Eldridge Cleaver, a prominent Panther and former prisoner, used the paper to highlight the intersection of race and incarceration. The paper also documented the case of George Jackson, whose writings from Soledad Prison became iconic texts for abolitionists.

More recently, publications like Prison Legal News, founded in Washington State, have continued the legacy of investigative reporting on carceral abuses. Though not exclusively Black-owned, the paper has centered the voices of incarcerated individuals, reporting on lawsuits, prison labor exploitation, and systemic racism.

San Quentin, CA – August 15, 2016: A television reporter interviews an incarcerated individual inside the death row adjustment center at San Quentin State Prison. Established in 1852, San Quentin is California’s oldest penitentiary and houses the state’s only death row for men. At the time, the facility held 700 people. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images).
San Quentin, CA – August 15, 2016: A typewriter sits on the bed of an inmate inside San Quentin State Prison’s death row. San Quentin is one of the few prisons in the United States that allows incarcerated individuals to write for an inmate-produced news outlet, The San Quentin News, providing a unique platform for voices from within the prison system. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images).

Wins in the Movement: From Policy Changes to Cultural Shifts

The prison abolition movement on the West Coast has achieved significant wins, though challenges remain. In California, activists successfully campaigned to end cash bail for many offenses, recognizing how the system disproportionately punishes poor and Black communities. In 2016, voters passed Proposition 57, which increased parole opportunities for nonviolent offenders and reduced juvenile incarceration rates.

Washington State has also seen progress, with activists pushing for restorative justice programs and alternatives to incarceration. The creation of Community Justice Centers, which focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, is one such success. Similarly, Oregon has implemented sentencing reforms and diversion programs that aim to reduce incarceration rates.

These victories reflect a growing awareness of the failures of mass incarceration. However, abolitionists caution against incremental reforms that merely reshape the system rather than dismantle it.

Incarcerated Media Makers: Radio Stations and Newspapers from Behind Bars

Resistance to the prison-industrial complex has not been limited to activists on the outside. Incarcerated individuals on the West Coast have built media platforms to document their experiences and challenge the narratives that uphold mass incarceration. Prison radio stations and newspapers have become critical tools for advocacy and community building.

One notable example is Prison Radio, based in California, which amplifies the voices of incarcerated individuals nationwide. Founded by journalist Noelle Hanrahan, the platform has broadcast essays and commentaries from figures like Mumia Abu-Jamal. While not exclusively West Coast-based, the project draws heavily from California’s incarcerated population and has inspired similar initiatives.

Oregon has also seen the rise of inmate-led media, with newspapers like Voices from the Inside publishing stories on prison conditions, art, and the struggles of reintegration after incarceration. These publications are often supported by grassroots donations and volunteer editors on the outside.

San Quentin, CA – December 12, 2005: A prison guard stands at the gate of San Quentin Prison in San Quentin, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The West Coast’s Unique Challenges: A Carceral Hub

The West Coast’s prison population presents unique challenges for abolitionists. California alone incarcerates nearly 100,000 people, more than any other state except Texas. Its prison system is marked by overcrowding, racial disparities, and a reliance on prison labor. Despite court-ordered reforms, California’s prisons remain plagued by systemic abuses.

Oregon and Washington, while smaller in scale, face similar issues. Both states have high rates of incarceration for Indigenous and Black communities, reflecting broader patterns of racial injustice. Moreover, private prison companies like GEO Group and CoreCivic have a significant presence on the West Coast, profiting from immigrant detention centers and carceral facilities.

What Activists Are Doing About It

Several Black journalists, activists, and members of the Black press have played a critical role in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in California, arguing that it disproportionately affects Black and marginalized communities. Among them, the California-based Black press, including The Los Angeles Sentinel and The San Francisco Bay View, has consistently covered racial disparities in the criminal justice system, highlighting wrongful convictions and systemic bias in capital punishment cases.

Black journalists such as Kevin Cooper, a death row inmate and writer, have used their platforms to expose flaws in the legal system, drawing attention to prosecutorial misconduct and racial bias in sentencing. Organizations like Californians for Safety and Justice and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, which have included Black leadership and advocacy, have worked to push for reforms and alternatives to the death penalty.

San Quentin, CA – March 13, 2019: In this photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, staff members dismantled the death row gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison. Its shuttering followed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of a moratorium on the state’s death penalty. At the time, California had 737 inmates on death row, the largest such population in the United States. (Photo by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via Getty Images).
San Quentin, CA – March 13, 2019: In this photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, staff members dismantled the lethal injection facility at San Quentin State Prison also. Its closure followed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of a moratorium on the state’s death penalty too. (Photo by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via Getty Images).

Additionally, Black-led groups such as the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, founded by journalist Van Jones, have been instrumental in mobilizing communities against capital punishment, framing it as a moral and racial justice issue. Their combined efforts contributed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 moratorium on executions, a significant step toward potential abolition in the state.

Additionally, grassroots coalitions like Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) have fought to close prisons and divert funding to social services. CURB’s advocacy has led to the closure of several state prisons, including the Deuel Vocational Institution in 2021.

A Movement Rooted in Hope

The prison abolition movement on the West Coast is more than a fight against incarceration; it is a vision for a more just and equitable society. From the writings of Angela Davis to the grassroots organizing of formerly incarcerated individuals, the movement embodies a deep commitment to collective liberation. The contributions of incarcerated media makers further underscore the resilience and creativity of those most impacted by the system.

While the road to abolition is long, the wins on the West Coast offer a blueprint for what is possible. The region’s organizers remind us that the fight against mass incarceration is ultimately a fight for humanity—and that the stories and voices of incarcerated individuals are central to that struggle.