Stacie L. Patterson Law Blog

California has long struggled with overcrowded prisons and producing a balanced budget.  Now, with the devastated economy and lack of room in prisons, politicians are running out of suggestions on how to alleviate either or both.  California has by far, the largest inmate population in the country.  The state prison in Lancaster alone houses more than double its capacity.  More than one hundred people sleep in a gymnasium that is lined from wall to wall with triple stacked bunk beds, due to lack of cells.

Introducing an idea to offer early release to low level offenders, advocates aim to reduce the prison population by 6,500 people over the next two years.  The New York Times reports that some prisoners may be released early for completing drug and education programs or have their sentences reduced under new formulas for calculating time served in county jails before and after sentencing.  Strong supporters of this idea feel that number could be greatly increased, while opponents worry that releasing inmates will only allow them to victimize more people before being introduced back into the prison system.

Very strict parole rules and lack of rehabilitation, education and job programs are only a few examples of what keeps our prisons overflowing.  In California, all released prisoners are placed on parole, regardless of their offense.  Additionally, if a parolee is arrested, fails a drug test or even misses an appointment with their assigned parole officer, s/he can be arrested and re-incarcerated.  The state spends an estimated $47,000 per year to house a single prisoner and carries a deficit of 20 billion dollars.  By amending the rules, releasing and lessening parole requirements to inmates deemed to be less threatening and allowing parole officers to focus more on keeping track of serious, violent offenders, the state may be able to start saving an estimated $100 million a year.

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