AgdaPkt 2009-09-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

9A Page 2 'Prison Reform' Continued from Page 1... The package includes 19 points of reform, seven of which needed legislative approval. Among these are plans to change some "wobbler" crimes to misdemeanors. A wobbler is as crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Originally proposed to affect dozens of offenses, this proposal has been limited to three offenses: petty theft with a prior, check kiting, and receiving stolen property. The package also includes plans for a controversial sentencing commission. Similar proposals have been defeated in the past due to concerns from public safety groups and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The public safety community continues to raise concerns because the plan gives an unelected body the authority to transform sentencing laws. However, the Governor has indicated that he now supports the creation of such a commission. The reform package passed the Senate with a vote of 21 ~19, and received no support from Republican legislators. Although the Assembly remained in session until midnight on Thursday, the package was unable to garner enough votes to pass largely due to the sentencing commission provisions. The Assembly is not scheduled to return to the Capitol until Monday. In what has become commonplace in the legislative process, ABx3 14 was not in print before the vote. However, the League has pieced together information to put together the following summary of the package. The League will continue to report on this issue as more information becomes available. The Senate approved the following reforms: Risk-Based Parole Supervision ($178 million savings and 4,000 prisoner reductions) Establishes the Parole Reentry Accountability Program that will require COeR to use a parole violation decision-making instrument to determine the most appropriate sanctions for a parole violator. Low and moderate risk offenders with non-serious, non-violent, and non-sex offenses will be placed on large (banked) caseloads and will not be subject to parole revocation. They will continue to be subject to search and seizure by all levels of law enforcement. Serious offenders may be eligible for early parole discharge if they successfully complete a drug treatment program. The Assembly passed a similar proposal in December 2008. Alternative Custody for Aged and Inflrmed Prisoners ($120 million savings and 6,300 prisoner reduction) Allows the Secretary of CDCR to order home detention with electronic monitoring of inmates with less than 12 months to serve on their prison terms, who are over the age of 60, and those who are permanently medically incapacitated, regardless of the length of their sentence. Changing Wobbler Crimes to Misdemeanors ($100 million savings and 4,300 prisoner reduction) Changes three offenses, petty theft with a prior, check kiting, and receiving stolen property, from wobblers to misdemeanors. Rather than being committed to state prison, these offenders would be committed to county jail. Last December's proposal changed dozens of wobblers to misdemeanors. Rehabilitation Program Completion Credits ($42 million savings and 1,700 prisoner reduction) Inmates who complete rehabilitation programs such as the G.E.D., college degrees, and vocational training will be allowed to earn additional sentence credits. Credits will also be extended to inmates awaiting transfer to a fire camp. The current maximum number of credits an inmate can earn is equivalent to six weeks; this credit allowance may be increased to four months. 2