June 1, 2009
Editorial: “Bill would help revamp our state’s failing probation system”
What happens to the 200,000 people who are convicted of felonies in California each year? About 40,000 a year go directly to our overcrowded prison system.
But 160,000 are sentenced to probation and a short time in county jail or to probation alone, mostly for drug offenses. This means they are supervised by a probation officer in their home communities and must meet conditions, such as holding a job, doing community service, paying restitution to victims and participating in drug or alcohol programs.
That probation system is under serious strain, and many offenders get lost in it. The result: 40% of new prison admissions are offenders who have failed on felony probation at the local level…
LINK - FresnoBee.com
