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FEATURE: Get Out of Jail Free!Governor's Parole Plan Threatens Public Safety - Page 5by Assemblyman Doug Lamalfa, R-Redding  The most important role of government is ensuring that our neighborhoods and communities are safe. That's why I am opposed to a proposal by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to change to a system of unsupervised parole for thousands of criminals. They claim their summary parole plan is necessary to deal with the state's $14.5 billion deficit.Over the years, I've fought the efforts of liberals in Sacramento to weaken California's tough-on-crime laws, like Three Strikes, that are keeping repeat criminals behind bars and away from our families. I've also worked to bring home more tax dollars so cities and counties could hire the additional sheriff's deputies and police officers we need to patrol our streets and protect our neighborhoods. What would summary parole mean for California? More than 18,500 convicted felons currently out on parole would be allowed to go free-without any tracking or supervision by law enforcement. We won't have any idea whether they are making progress to become productive members of the community, or if they are even adhering to the terms of their parole, including staying away from drugs or alcohol, and maintaining a job. Right now, our community has some peace of mind that parolees will follow the terms of their parole because they are under the watchful eye of law enforcement. That would all go away under summary parole. Convicted felons out on parole won't be held accountable by their parole officers any longer, not will they be required to even check in periodically so we know their whereabouts. Many will jump at the chance to quickly slip away, and statistics show they will return to a life of crime. I am most concerned, however, about the types of serious criminals who could be free under summary parole. Individuals who have been serving time behind bars for some very serious crimes could be eligible, including certain types of sex offenders and stalkers, and those who have committed felony statutory rape. Felons who have lead police officers on a car chase to avoid being arrested, and those who have attacked public safety personnel while conducting their duties could also be left alone to roam free. Also on the list are identity thieves, auto thieves, those with a deadly weapon who want to intimidate a crime victim or a witness and those who recruit gang members, even by force. Do we really want convicted stalkers, sex offenders, or armed felons running loose in our county because the Legislature refuses to get its act together on the budget deficit? Only in Sacramento would letting thousands of criminals vanish without a trace be considered a better choice than cutting wasteful spending. The proposal doesn't even save the state much money. It would only save us $14 million this year, which is only 0.14 percent of CDCR's overall budget. It would save just $102.1 million next year, which is only 0.97 percent of the Department's budget. Fortunately, the release plan, as drafted, requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, which will allow Republicans to stop it dead in its tracks. Enough is enough. The state Legislature must cut wasteful spending and get our budget priorities straight. California's hardworking families deserve better than the irresponsible threat of summary parole. Our most important duty is to protect the citizens we are privileged to represent, and I hope my colleagues will join me in doing the right thing and rejecting this proposal. Continue Reading: Get Out of Jail Free! by Ryan Sherman, CCPOA Director of Public Relations Reject Summary Parole to Protect Families - Page 2 by Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Costa Mesa The Criminal Next Door - Page 3 by Bill Leonard, Board of Equilization Member and Former State Legislator Parole Plan Sends the Wrong Message to Offenders and Victims - Page 4 by Harriet Salarno, Founder, Crime Victims United of California Governor's Parole Plan Threatens Public Safety - Page 5 by Assemblyman Doug Lamalfa, R-Redding  Print This PageBack to Volume 25, Issue 2 Back to PEACEKeeper Main Page |
