April 21, 2010
Editorial: Voters Agenda: Sensible parole policies needed amid tough-on-crime talk
Beware candidates touting new "tough on crime" policies – and hold on to your wallet. Year after year, this state spends a steadily increasing portion of its budget on the prison system – without increasing public safety. Yet candidates in each election cycle try to appear ever tougher.
Here's one area where California is an anomaly among the states: Since 1979, those who complete their prison sentences are placed on a three-year period of post-sentence supervision, called parole.
California stands virtually alone in paroling all prisoners. Most states reserve parole for the most serious offenders. New York, Florida, and Texas place about one-third of prisoners in parole supervision...
LINK - SacBee.com
