The Column

Friday, August 21, 2009

Cost cuts may trim CA prison population



Like, more than 27,000 inmates may be released if the state Assembly gets its way.

Don't take my word for it ... this is according to CNN:

Consideration of the bill comes as California faces a mid-September deadline for reducing its prison population by about 40,000 inmates. A special panel of three federal judges issued the order, contending the crowded prison system violates prisoners' constitutional rights ... the judges said they will make the reductions themselves if the state fails to act ... the measure would save the financially strapped state $524.5 million, according to a statement from Steinberg's office ... when coupled with budget revisions that lawmakers made in July, the total corrections savings would be $1.2 billion, he said. That is the amount that Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants as part of his efforts to cut state spending and balance the budget.

Of course, there's opposition:

Senate Republicans say the bill would undermine public safety. All 15 Senate Republicans voted against the measure.

Let's flash back ... in the late 1960s, costs were cut in California's mental health budget, and many mental patients were likewise released. There are probably a few of those folks still wandering around the Golden State -- and I'm sure a fair number of these were elected into the state Assembly and Senate. Has to be, anyway.

Photo: Inmates at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, in a gym modified to house them in August 2007.

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