September 16, 2009
Editorial: California takes a small step on prisons
AS CALIFORNIA lawmakers careened toward adjournment of their latest session on Friday, they finally took a step — albeit a small one — toward reforming the mess that is the state's prison system.
They sent a bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that cuts prison spending by an estimated $1 billion and lower the inmate population by 16,000. It includes a needed shift in the parole system with huge caseloads for parole agents being cut so they can focus more on potentially violent offenders. Assuming Schwarzenegger decides to sign it, the bill is not nearly enough, but it is a start.
Lawmakers caved into pressure from law enforcement advocates and sent a watered-down version that should have gone much further…
LINK - InsideBayArea.com
