While the central budget debate is focused on how high the Legislature will raise your taxes, Democrats are attempting to sneak in numerous dangerous public safety measures under the radar.
As part of Democratic leaderships’ budget solution, inmates will receive one day’s early release credit for every day served in state prison – just for being alive. The plan would repeal the existing statute, which allows inmates to earn up to a day’s credit for each day served but only if they participate in work or education programs.
As proposed by the Democrats, no work or classroom participation would be required. An inmate sentenced to four years could be back on the street in two years without working or earning educational credits.
Under this “welfare-program-for-prison-inmate” plan, the concept of working to earn credits under existing laws will be repealed. Credits will simply become an entitlement granted to anyone simply for committing one or more felonies that result in a prison sentence. For most high school students who have passed an exit exam, this would appear to be a 50 percent reduction in sentences. Of course many Democrats would also like to eliminate the exit exam as a requirement of earning a high school diploma. Perhaps, there is a pattern here.
In any instance, the budget proposal does not totally abandon earned credits; it simply adds them to unearned credits. Here’s how it would work.
A prisoner sentenced to 48 months in state prison (for something like conviction for burglary while armed with a firearm) would under the Democratic plan be entitled 24 months credit for getting up every morning. If he was more industrious, he could earn up to four months additional credit for each drug treatment, alcohol rehabilitation, education, vocational, or other program he completed. It is unclear whether programs for problem gamblers, anger management, or simple just to learn about cinematography would be included – or how many programs could be attended – during the same period.
Perhaps the piece d’ résistance of the Democrats’ smorgasbord of early release alternatives is an inmate waiting list for conservation camp (generally to fight wild fires). Under this “no show” provision, an inmate who signs up to participate in a conservation camp program will receive two days of credit toward release for each day he or she is on the waiting list (this amounts to a two-thirds reduction in the sentence).
As crafted, this provision would allow an inmate with a 36-month sentence to be released in 12 months simply because his name is on a list. This would be the functional equivalent of placing a job applicant on the state payroll simply for applying.
This liberal proposal to grant to tens of thousands of criminals early release from prison has been developed as part of a process that excludes public hearings. The People of California deserve this issue to see the light of day.
Republicans considering voting for this budget have more to worry about than just breaking their no-tax pledge; they should be concerned about the horrible public safety consequences this early release scheme would create for the constituents they were elected to protect and serve.
August 24th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Its about time someone came up with a plan,that will save the taxpayers money~~its not so horrible Mr.Runner,inmates are going to get out eventually. Your tough on crime mentality,is old and used up~people are wise to your fear mongering~~the majority of inmates are over-sentenced,with enhancements added to their sentences~you just want to lock everyone up & throw away the keys~so u can feel safe~I would feel safer,if you where locked away from the capital~~you have done enough damage to this state,by your poorly authored “Jessica’s Law” that is destroying families~You are not my savior~~at least the Democrats are trying to be smart on crime~~ Republicans should try also,so we All can Breathe !!!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am
The tough on crime legislation voted on time and time again by Republican legislators like Mr. Runner are the reason our prisons are overflowing with young people. They continue to believe that ever longer sentences somehow “teaches criminals a lesson” even though dozens of reports, many sanctioned by legislators have shown over and over incarceration has the effect. Ever longer sentences which are the trademark of our supposed fiscally responsible Republican legislators have and continue to pour billions of our tax dollars into building the Prison Universities rather than the services and programs that have proven to lower crime rates. But that is not what they want. They want to grow the prison complex and create more and more jobs for their favorite campaign contributors. Those Law Enforcement Unions and those who make money off the prison systems. We need a sentencing commission to bring sanity back to these ridiculous sentences and bring back fair and just sentenceing. Mr. Runner doesn’t mention that only 10% of the prison population even has access to job, schools and drug rehab. The prisons are so overcrowded with substance abusers (80%)that there is no room for programs. So how exactly are they supposed to earn the credits if they don’t have access? I would like to know how they are supposed to program with no programs. Thousands need to be released from prison. They shouldn’t be there in the first place. Prison does no good for drug abusers and mentally ill. Only those truly violent offenders should be incarcerated. Other alternative sentences will lower the almost 80% recidivism rates. I have been a registered Republican for 37 years. I can no longer support California State Republicans. They are completely clueless when it comes to their constituents. Myself and my family will be voting democrat this year. They serve their special interest groups not the people.