California has a troubled history surrounding its criminal justice system. As recent as October, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation found that all but two of its prison centers were packed over their designed capacities. But throughout the last decade, the state has implemented more rehabilitative criminal justice policies to solve its long-standing problems […]
Author Archives: Pravin Visakan
Pravin Visakan: Ending LGBTQ discrimination begins with more inclusive education
Being queer in California isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and people of all sexual orientations and genders still face discrimination and harassment in their daily lives. Much of that adversity is experienced in elementary, middle and high schools. The correlation between high rates of bullying and queerness is longstanding. A report […]
Pravin Visakan: California labor unions must stop combating climate change bills
Imagine a state senator stepping up in the final days of California’s legislative session to present his bill to revolutionize the Californian energy sector. Unbeknownst to him, union representatives are preparing to sabotage it. Labor interests have started working against Californian legislative efforts aimed at combating climate change. This pattern of opposition was prevalent in […]
Pravin Visakan: Police must implement training on mental health-related encounters
Nothing kills a dinner table discussion better than a conversation about policing in America. Add in a comment about our mental health care system, and you might as well pass on dessert. Mental health-related police encounters can be dangerous, and have the potential to end in tragedy. And in the line of duty, they’re a […]
Pravin Visakan: Charter Amendment C will lead to ineffective reform of LAPD misconduct
The Los Angeles Police Department has a troubled history with officer misconduct. The city is trying something new to address this problem, however. Charter Amendment C, an initiative on the May 16 municipal ballot, represents a well-intentioned, but ineffective attempt to tweak the formula of internal police misconduct reviews. The measure would give officers accused […]
Pravin Visakan: Removing unfair tampon tax would reduce financial burden on students
Like the children of a warm paternalistic guardian, some Bruins like to regard our state with tender and patriotic feelings. However, like a relative with a dark secret, California has a long history of unfairly extorting “blood money” from some of its citizens: Specifically, it taxes sales of menstrual products and diapers. Most people who […]
Pravin Visakan: UCLA should offer college degree program for prison inmates
With sleepless nights, budding caffeine addictions and obscure curricula, a college education at UCLA might seem more like a punitive measure than anything else. However, a college degree represents increased opportunity and can further one’s potential for employment and self-fulfillment – especially for those who need it most, namely, prison inmates. California currently suffers from […]