(from an email)
…
Hi. I wanted to let you know I reached out to my friend who is formerly incarcerated to see if he knew someone who could join the discussion but I have not been successful. I am so glad you are doing this
In terms of specific actions, the bill SB 1289 ending the use of private prisons for immigration detention (led by Senator Lara - the Dignity not Detention Act) was passed by the house and senate last year http://www.laweekly.com/news/are-private-immigration-jails-on-the-chopping-block-in-southern-california-7293136 but it was vetoed by Governor Brown in November saying Homeland Security is revisiting nationally whether to use private prisons. The federal government has planned to phase out private prisons for federal use but Trump has overturned that. http://www.pe.com/articles/immigration-814485-local-law.html
Working with the immigration group to end private prisons could be a project you undertake, or at least monitor and send out alerts for actions when needed.
The ACLU is working on this issue: https://www.aclu.org/news/aclu-government-must-end-use-private-prisons-immigration-detention and I would have to find out what local immigration groups are. With all of the deportations happening right now I“m guessing private prisons may be less of a priority for immigration groups. Of course there is also private prison use in general (not just immigration detention)
It appears that private prisons in California are primarily for immigration detention:
Here is a list of all the prisons in California: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_prisons
and here's the list of private prisons on that list:
I hope this is helpful!
Warmly