Keep Bailing

All across America, states are running out of ways to combat prison overcrowding. Prisons are like dams that threaten to break, with an inmate overflow that will be impossible to contain. Many people feel the last two decades of the 20th century were the point at which prison overcrowding began to accelerate faster than states could keep up.

During those times, states tried to fight rising crime rates by meting out stiffer sentences. This tactic did reduce criminal activity, but it also sent jail populations skyrocketing . Recent early release programs that were intended to combat the financially devastating inmate-influx have been sharply criticized by police and the public.

In California, where the state’s 33 prisons are designed to hold 85,000 inmates, these detention centers are packed to the gills with 160,000 men and women — almost double the amount! But at last, there may be a solution to this situation, born from what some might see as an unlikely source: Read more »

A Sacramento law intended to reduce overcrowding by granting certain inmates at state prisons and county jails an early release is sparking anger throughout California. The law expands early release credits for state prisoners who complete educational and vocational programs by shaving months off their sentences.  Low-level offenders who leave prison will no longer be monitored by the state, making probation violations an unlikely reason for re-arrest.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill for this law last fall in an effort to ease the state’s crushing budget deficit.  As a result, around 6,500 state inmates are due to be freed this year, to save California $500 million.

At least 18 of California’s 58 counties have applied the law retroactively by giving their county jail inmates additional credits for time already served before it took effect.  This has lead to a huge increase of Read more »

Fresno, CA – Budget cuts in Fresno County may lead to the early release of 500 inmates, according to Fresno County Sheriff, Margaret Mims.

The 100 inmates released on Tuesday were reportedly near the end of their sentences or awaiting sentancing. All of them were incarcerated for low-level crimes having to do with narcotics possession and theft.

On Feb. 8th, the layoff of 69 correctional officers has amounted to the shut down of three floors at the Fresno County Jail.

According to a federal consent decree, Read more »

Overcrowding leads to early release of inmates and questions from city officials…

It’s argued by some that Sheriff Margaret Mims was in violation of the law when she released 72 inmates from jail early due to overcrowding at a Fresno Jail facility. The city argued that there were enough beds for the inmates.

Sheriff Mims was doing what a Federal decree said she could do: release inmates early when the jail had reached its capacity. However, Fresno County officials disagree and the city has launched a lawsuit. The battle between Mims and the Fresno Police Department is ongoing.

Fresno is not alone in early release. Early release is common across the state of California in order to Read more »