California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection, 1859-2024, bulk 1970-2018

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Summary

Title:
California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection
Subtitle:
In pursuit of "the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society" - Trop v. Dulles, 356 U.S. 86 (1958)
Dates:
1859-2024, bulk 1970-2018
Abstract:
The California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection focuses on preparation for trials against the California Department of Corrections and subsequent work towards institutional compliance with court orders. These materials were gathered by Dr. Anthony C. Newland, retired Warden of Solano State Prison, and former Chief of the Court Management Services Branch during his forty-five-year career with the California Department of Corrections. Major topics of the collection include litigation around conditions of confinement, such as overcrowding, facility safety and cleanliness, and access to legal resources; physical and mental health care; and disability accommodation. The collection also includes Dr. Newland's teaching and research materials, files related to his consulting work, and historically significant materials related to the California Department of Corrections during the 1970s. Formats include born-digital documents such as PDFs, emails, text documents, videos, and audio recordings.
Extent:
100.5 Linear Feet and 103.3 Gigabytes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection. PAS-002. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. [Date accessed].

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

The California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection was gathered by Dr. Anthony C. Newland during his career with the California Department of Corrections. It spans 1859-2024 with the bulk of the collection falling between 1970 and 2018. The collection primarily contains print and electronic records focused on preparation for trials against the Department of Corrections and subsequent work towards compliance with court orders. Major topics include conditions of confinement, such as overcrowding, facility safety and cleanliness, and access to legal resources; physical and mental health care; and disability accommodation.

The collection also includes Dr. Newland's teaching materials and academic papers, most of which relate to criminal justice and prison administration. Dr. Newland's consulting work with the State of California and with private institutions in Utah, Mississippi, and Texas is also represented, as is his interest in East Asian and other international models of social control and law enforcement systems.

Of particular note is Series 4. California Corrections History, which documents events around the August 7, 1970, Marin County Civic Center courtroom attack and the August 21, 1971, attempted escape from San Quentin State Prison and subsequent death of Black Panther Party member George Jackson. This material was found among disused files headed for disposal; noting the historic significance of these items, Dr. Newland added them to his own working files.

The California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection consists of: 96.8 linear feet of files; 93 3.5" floppy disks; 12 optical discs; 15 USB flash drives; 80 digitized videotapes; 3 digitized audio tapes of related materials; and approximately 400 books.

Biographical / historical:

Anthony C. Newland, Ph.D., (1945-) is the retired Warden of California State Prison Solano, and former Chief of the Court Management Services Branch of the California Department of Corrections.

Dr. Newland earned his B.A. in Political Economy from Claremont McKenna College in 1966, followed by a master's degree in social work from Fresno State University in 1972, an M.P.A. and Ph.D. in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in 1976 and 1990, and an M.A. in Asian Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco in 1997.

In 1971, Dr. Newland joined the California Department of Corrections as a Student Professional Intern in the Fresno, California Parole Division. From there, he embarked on a forty-five-year career in Corrections, culminating in his service as Warden and Chief Deputy Warden at California State Prison, Solano, and California Medical Facility, Vacaville. The majority of Dr. Newland's career revolved around institutional compliance with court orders against the Department of Corrections. Dr. Newland's work as an administrator included preparing for major trials in Federal and State courts; court appearances; developing Plans of Correction to meet the demands of court orders; developing resources, including legislation, legislative budgeting, construction, and equipment procurement; developing policies, procedures, and staff training; interacting with Court Special Masters and Monitors; and auditing compliance in conditions of confinement, health care, and mental health lawsuits.

In addition to his work as an administrator in the California Department of Corrections, Dr. Newland taught courses in criminal justice and prison administration at several community colleges, Hayward State University, and Golden Gate University.

Since retirement, Dr. Newland has been a consultant with the State of California and with private institutions in Utah, Mississippi, and Texas, preparing for trials and developing protocols for complying with resulting court orders.

Dr. Newland has a strong interest in international models of social control and law enforcement systems, especially those of China and other East Asian countries.

Adapted from biography by Dr. Anthony C. Newland, 2022

Acquisition information:
Gift of Dr. Anthony C. Newland, 2024.
Processing information:

During processing, potentially sensitive paper-based materials were separated. The original item locations were noted. Types of materials separated include: Personally Identifying Information; Protected Health Information; Attorney/Client Work Products and Privileged Correspondence; materials which may relate to prison security; personnel materials; and materials marked confidential. Some potentially sensitive materials were not separated but have been flagged within the collection.

Processed by Liz (Alex) Phillips, 2023-2024.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in 8 series:

1. Litigation Compliance, 1859-2022. 73.4 Linear Feet.

2. Other Litigation, 1974-1998. 0.8 Linear Feet.

3. Policy, Training, and Legislation, 1957-2021. 17.7 Linear Feet.

4. California Corrections History, 1970-1993. 1 Linear Foot.

5. California Corrections, General, 1976-2022. 1.7 Linear Feet.

6. Education and Professional Activities, 1970-2021. 2.2 Linear Feet.

7. Audiovisual Materials, 1989-2021. 3 Linear Feet.

8. Born Digital Materials, 1990-2024. 0.4 Linear Feet.

Physical facet:

(242 document cases, 3 records cartons, 1 newspaper box, and 1 card file box) and 10.4 Linear Feet of restricted materials (26 document cases)

7,211 digital files 93 3.5" floppy disks; 12 optical discs; 15 USB thumb drives

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Liz (Alex) Phillips, 2024.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-08-21 08:22:16 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. Access to original audio-visual material and digital media is restricted; researchers may request viewing or listening copies.

This collection contains digital materials. Access to born digital material is not currently readily accessible. For access to disk media and digital records, please contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives. Other material in this collection is open for research.

This collection contains or may contain private and personally identifiable information (PPII), records of attorney-client privilege, and other potentially sensitive records. Researchers must agree to the Rules of Use for Special Collections & Archives in advance of access to collection materials.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Researchers may make no notes or other record of any private and personally identifiable information (PPII) located in this collection, and may not publish, publicize, or disclose such information to any other party for any purpose. Researchers must agree to the Rules for Use for Special Collections & Archives to indicate their agreement and understanding of the use restrictions for PPII and other sensitive materials found in this collection. By using these collections, researchers assume all responsibility for potential infringement of privacy in their use of the material, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless The UC Irvine Libraries and the University of California, its agents and employees against all claims, demands, costs, and expenses arising out of their use of this collection.

Preferred citation:

California Prison Litigation Compliance Collection. PAS-002. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. [Date accessed].

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Location of this collection:
Irvine, CA 92623, US