California to Release over 70,000 Inmates

The Associated Press has this story on the early release of thousands of inmates; “California is giving 76,000 inmates, including violent and repeat felons, the opportunity to leave prison earlier…” This is result of a promise made by Governor Newsom to decrease prison populations throughout the state of California and close prisons.  Thanks to Proposition 57 (adopted in 2016) state prison inmates, even those convicted of violent crimes, receive “good time” credits to reduce their sentences by up to 50%.  Last year approximately 21,000 inmates in California were released from prison. There will be a total of 3 prison closures in California by next year.

CJLF’s Legal Director, Kent Scheidegger explained, “The notion that the credits are for good behavior is a misnomer. You don’t have to be good to get good time credits. People who lose good time credits for misconduct get them back, they don’t stay gone.” According to the article, approximately 20,000 of the inmates to be considered for release are serving life sentences with the possibility of parole.  These are dangerous criminals.  This latest “emergency” action will assure more crime and more crime victims in California.