Christine Thomas

I work as a paralegal at the Public Defender's office in Sacramento. It changed my life to see the money trail in California and how lack of funds can create hopelessness, disenfranchise people and keep them in the revolving door of the criminal justice system. We cut programs that give children a way out of the system and then we spend $50,000 each year to incarcerate each child who is unable to resist the lure of crime. The ACLU is helping to change that picture.

The number one factor in combating recidivism is receiving family and community contact while in prison, yet prisons can accommodate visits for only 2.5% of their population. Each week I send my clients who are on death row articles about what the ACLU is doing, which cases are being tried, and what action they can take. It gives them hope to know that people out there are working on their behalf.

The phenomenal thing is that innocence is not the issue. Giving people the same rights is the issue. That is one of the wonderful things about the ACLU. No one is treated more or less human. No matter your view, the ACLU will go in and fight for your civil liberties.

I've worked with people who have gone to Harvard, who do incredible work, who save their clients' lives, and I always thought that they were the only people who could speak effectively. But it takes everyday people speaking with other everyday people to effect change. I urge other ACLU supporters 'Find your voice and speak for the far too often voiceless!'

-Christine Thomas
ACLU Sacramento chapter board member and death penalty activist