Name: Malachi Young

Social Justice Group: 2021-2022, Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

Date of Fieldwork: February 14, 2022

Name of Organization and person (people) with whom you met and their title(s):Prison Law – Jacob Hutt

Type of Fieldwork: Interview

What I did and what I learned about my topic, activism, social justice work or civil and human rights work from this fieldwork?[:: :

On Monday, Februrary 14, we had the pleasure of meeting with Jacob Hutt from the Prison Law Office. Mr. Hutt is a Staff Attorney who joined the organization in 2020. He focuses on disability inequalities and unfair living conditions in prisons. He is currently working on the Armstrong v. Newsom case, a class action brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act on behalf of people with disabilities in California state prisons, and the Chavez v. County of Santa Clara case, a class action challenging certain conditions in the Santa Clara County jails. He helped us learn about the many inequalities in the prison system.

During the interview Jacob explained that there are various inequalities within the system, and they are all in different aspects. For example, people who are blind aren’t given proper care, only someone to do things for them. Therefore, if they have anything they need to read, their privacy is obstructed, since their person must read the letter for them.

Inquality is present as racial discrimination, unacceptable living conditions, and inproper mental health treatment. If you have a certain tatoo before coming into the jail, you may be associated with a certain gang, despite not being there. People with mental health are often “treated” with physicsl force and intimidation. Living spaces have become overcrowed, making the conditions unlivable and unconstitutional. I really enjoyed talking with him, and I wish to learn more about this aspect of the topic.