SENATE PASSES PRISON REFORM ACHIEVING $1 BILLION IN SAVINGS
California Political Desk
September 12, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The California Senate today passed legislation that in combination with the budget cuts from July, implements nearly $1 Billion in savings while improving public safety, parole supervision, and the effectiveness of our prison system. SB 18 (3X), which was approved by the Assembly in August, strengthens the way we deal with violent offenders, and lowers the number of repeat offenders that drive up the cost of our criminal justice system.
"While I am disappointed we were not able to pass a more comprehensive solution that includes a sentencing commission and alternative custody, these changes are a common sense first step in addressing our stretched parole system and the federal intervention in California´s criminal justice system."
The savings will enact general fund reductions by nearly $280 million. Coupled with savings already passed in the budget revision the Legislature enacted in July, total corrections savings is nearly $1 billion. The total package will reduce the prison population (Average Daily Population) by approximately 16,000 in the 2009-10 Fiscal Year.
The vote was 21-15. The bill now moves to the Governor´s desk.
Major provisions:
Parole ($188 million savings)
Parole Policy: CDCR will increase supervision levels for the most serious and violent offenders. CDCR Parole agents currently manage a 70:1 ratio. This bill brings it down to 45:1 allowing agents to better monitor the most serious and violent offenders. Agents currently only have the time to make one home visit per quarter and one office visit per month. Under this bill, an agent will be able to make two home visits per month and three office visits per month.
Low and moderate risk parolees with non-serious, non-violent and non-sex offenses will not be subject to parole revocation.
Establishes the Parole Reentry Accountability Program. As part of the program CDCR will use a parole violation decision-making instrument to determine the most appropriate parole sanctions for a parole violator. Parole violators with a history of substance abuse or mental illness may be referred to a re-entry court. The court will work with the assistance of parole agents to determine the appropriate conditions of parole.
Credits ($42 million savings)
The legislation revises and recasts day-for-day credits and provides up to 6 weeks of credits for inmates who complete specific milestones in rehabilitative programming such as vocation, substance abuse treatment or education. Credits under the revised credit formulas are subject to forfeiture.
Probation Supervision ($30 million savings)
County probation will receive a portion of CDCR savings for improving outcomes so felony probationers who would otherwise be sent to prison remain under the jurisdiction of the counties. Probation will use these funds for additional officers and evidence-based programs. Seed money is provided for 2009-10 via a $45 million appropriation from federal funds.
Sentencing ($20 million savings)
Property crime thresholds many of which have not changed since 1982 will be updated to reflect the Consumer Price Index except Grand Theft which remains at $400.
"While I am disappointed we were not able to pass a more comprehensive solution that includes a sentencing commission and alternative custody, these changes are a common sense first step in addressing our stretched parole system and the federal intervention in California´s criminal justice system."
The savings will enact general fund reductions by nearly $280 million. Coupled with savings already passed in the budget revision the Legislature enacted in July, total corrections savings is nearly $1 billion. The total package will reduce the prison population (Average Daily Population) by approximately 16,000 in the 2009-10 Fiscal Year.
The vote was 21-15. The bill now moves to the Governor´s desk.
Major provisions:
Parole ($188 million savings)
Parole Policy: CDCR will increase supervision levels for the most serious and violent offenders. CDCR Parole agents currently manage a 70:1 ratio. This bill brings it down to 45:1 allowing agents to better monitor the most serious and violent offenders. Agents currently only have the time to make one home visit per quarter and one office visit per month. Under this bill, an agent will be able to make two home visits per month and three office visits per month.
Low and moderate risk parolees with non-serious, non-violent and non-sex offenses will not be subject to parole revocation.
Establishes the Parole Reentry Accountability Program. As part of the program CDCR will use a parole violation decision-making instrument to determine the most appropriate parole sanctions for a parole violator. Parole violators with a history of substance abuse or mental illness may be referred to a re-entry court. The court will work with the assistance of parole agents to determine the appropriate conditions of parole.
Credits ($42 million savings)
The legislation revises and recasts day-for-day credits and provides up to 6 weeks of credits for inmates who complete specific milestones in rehabilitative programming such as vocation, substance abuse treatment or education. Credits under the revised credit formulas are subject to forfeiture.
Probation Supervision ($30 million savings)
County probation will receive a portion of CDCR savings for improving outcomes so felony probationers who would otherwise be sent to prison remain under the jurisdiction of the counties. Probation will use these funds for additional officers and evidence-based programs. Seed money is provided for 2009-10 via a $45 million appropriation from federal funds.
Sentencing ($20 million savings)
Property crime thresholds many of which have not changed since 1982 will be updated to reflect the Consumer Price Index except Grand Theft which remains at $400.
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