CCPOA news
March 5, 2008
Government Starts Cutting Sentences Of Crack Inmates
More than 3,000 crack offenders are eligible for release within the year, according to an analysis by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The commission modified a 100 to 1 ratio disparity between sentences meted for crack and powder cocaine possession, saying that it was unfair because the drugs are virtually the same.
The Bush administration opposed the U.S. Sentencing Commission's decision to make the new guidelines retroactive for inmates currently serving sentences for crack cocaine crimes. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said that crack offenders would clog the courts with petitions requesting a release, and that "violent criminals" would eventually be returned to the streets…
LINK - WashingtonPost.com
March 4, 2008
Rethink parolee housing
Cities throughout California have been looking for ways to limit the number of sex offenders living within their borders. News that a hotel in Carson is housing up to 30 parolees whose names are on the state's Megan's Law Web site will no doubt sharpen concerns about public safety.
Last month, Long Beach city officials took action after discovering that an entire apartment complex had been rented to 13 sex offenders. Long Beach officials are moving to restrict sex offenders from living within at least 2,000 feet of licensed child-care centers. The city will also press Sacramento to limit the concentration of sex offenders in multi-family complexes…
LINK - DailyBreeze.com
March 4, 2008
Future of El Paso de Robles: State Proposes 1,000-inmate Prison
The former boys school in Paso Robles could become a 1,000- inmate prison after it closes in July, state prisons officials announced Monday. That new option joins two alternatives that have circulated since the closure was announced Jan. 3.
The other proposals call for a state re-entry prison with about 200 inmates and a firefighting camp. The property could house one or two of the proposed facilities, or have all three, state officials said.
LINK - SanLuisObispo.com
March 4, 2008
Tulare County: “Officials ask for gang unit”
"I think [the new unit is] crucial," Williams said. "I think we have to apply whatever resources we can [to gang problems]."
Also in the works is a plan to train a dozen correctional deputies at Tulare County jails to become gang experts who would monitor the activities of inmates with gang ties — the majority inmates. They would gather intelligence for gang officers and identify "shot-callers" — inmates directing gang crimes from the jails.
Money for that program would come from the sheriff's department's existing budget, a supervisors report states.
LINK - VisaliaTimesDelta.com
March 4, 2008
Prison system is overdue for reform (Editorial)
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a radical move to cover the state's expected $11 billion shortfall in next year's state budget: early release for as many as 22,000 of the convicted felons now serving their sentences in California's prisons.
Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, has rightly complained that this strategy is being undertaken without enough thought. It has the potential to jeopardize the safety of our communities and end up putting some fairly dangerous characters back on the streets.
Yes, locking people up is expensive. But so is letting them out to commit crime. Even if most of these convicts were nonviolent offenders, simply letting them go without strict evaluation doesn't seem wise…
LINK - VisaliaTimesDelta.com
March 4, 2008
Prison Privatization in America: The Lost Children
Web Editor's Note: This is a long read but well-worth the effort. However you might feel about immigration laws and immigrant detention centers, it becomes clear by reading this story that CCA's continued prison for-profit campaign and management track-record paints an even worse picture of corrections in the public eye and increases distaste for correctional officers as a whole.
Private companies began making inroads into the detention business in the nineteen-eighties, when the idea was in vogue that almost any private operation was inherently more efficient than a government one. The largest firm, Corrections Corporation of America, or C.C.A., was founded in 1983. But poor management and a series of well-publicized troubles — including riots at and escapes from prisons run by C.C.A. — dampened the initial excitement. In the nineties, C.C.A.'s bid to take over the entire prison system of Tennessee, where the company is based, failed; state legislators had grown skeptical. By the end of 2000, C.C.A.'s stock had hit an all-time low. When immigration detention started its precipitate climb following 9/11, private prison companies eagerly offered their empty beds, and the industry was revitalized.
One complication was that hundreds of children were among the immigrant detainees…
LINK - NewAmerica.net
March 3, 2008
Parole department places sex offenders in local motel
A tipline caller recently contacted 29-Eyewitness News over concerns that several sex offenders were living at a motel together. We contacted parole who tell us they know about it and they are involved in the process. 29-Eyewitness News reporter Amity Addrisi uncovered a unique new strategy at dealing with the problem of housing and tracking sex offenders.
Jessica's and Megan's law were passed to protect children from convicted and registered sex offenders. They prohibit them from living or hanging out near schools and parks, where children are. With those restrictions finding a place to put sex offenders is a constant problem.
LINK - EyeOutforYou.com
March 3, 2008
County seeks $100 million to expand Adelanto jail
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors are expected Tuesday to request funding in the amount of $100 million to help add 1,368 additional jail beds to the Adelanto Detention Center.
On May 3, 2007, the Public Safety and Offender Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007 became law. Among its provisions, state agencies are authorized to enter into agreements with participating counties for the acquisition, design and construction of local jail facilities.
Up to $1.2 billion is authorized by the legislation for county jail construction in two phases. In phase one, up to $750 million in funding is available through a competitive process. The board will consider a request to the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Corrections Standards Authority, asking for the funds.
LINK - VVDailyPress.com (Victorville Valley Daily Press)
March 3, 2008
Sunny Acres parolees asked to leave
The controversy over Sunny Acres continues, this time state agents say parolees must leave.
Here's the latest:
- A spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told Action News parolees had to leave because of the facility's numerous code violations.
- So far one parolee was told to get off the property, while four more said they are expected to leave by Monday.
The sudden notice to leave isn't sitting well with the parolees.
LINK - KSBY.com (KSBY 6 Action News)
March 3, 2008
Dozens Rally Outside Coalinga State Hospital
Coalinga State Hospital sits about 60 miles southwest of Fresno and is home to more than 1,000 sexually violent predators from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. "Less than one percent of all sexual offenders are in this category of 'sexually violent predators'. They are the worst of the worst," said Nancy Kincaid, Spokesperson for Coalinga State Hospital.
Jammie Stallworth's husband was convicted for lewd acts with a minor, and is now receiving rehabilitation at Coalinga State. Jammie was part of a group gathered outside the hospital Sunday, advocating for the release of her husband and other sexually violent predators from the facility. "I'm not saying that it wasn't wrong. But they've done all their time like any other criminal," said Stallworth.
But unlike other criminals, those housed in Coalinga State are typically repeat sexual offenders who have completed their prison sentence, but are ordered to extended treatment.
LINK - KMPH.com (Fox 26)
