California to start corrections overhaul

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

California’s correctional system is about to undergo an overhaul that could save money and reduce recidivism but also might lead to thousands of criminals’ spending significantly less time behind bars or in the parole office.

The so-called “prison realignment” beginning Saturday will transfer the state’s responsibility for lower-level drug offenders, thieves and other convicts to county jurisdictions.

Some prosecutors and county sheriffs predict rising crime and other dire outcomes from what amounts to the most radical change in the prison system in decades. But others say California’s counties can provide better rehabilitation and job training services that can only improve on the state’s recidivism record, in which nearly seven of every 10 ex-convicts are returned to state prison after committing a new crime.

The move is designed to reduce the state’s corrections costs so more money can go toward public education and other services while also reducing California’s prison population to accommodate a federal court order.

“This is a bold vision of a different relationship between the state and local government,” Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday. “It’s bold, it’s difficult and it will continuously change as we learn from experience. But we can’t sit still and let the courts release 30,000 serious prisoners. We have to do something, and this is the most viable plan that I have been able to put together.”

Realignment means judges will no longer sentence nonviolent, lower-level offenders to state prison for crimes such as auto theft, burglary, grand theft, forgery, counterfeiting and drug possession for sale. Instead, nearly 26,000 convicts who would previously have gone to state prison are expected to serve their time in county jails where, proponents say, they will be closer to home, jobs and rehabilitation programs and so will be less likely to commit new crimes after they are released.

The realignment will not affect inmates in state prison today, but rather will apply to those convicted after this week. Those convicted of sex crimes or violent offenses will continue to be sentenced to state prison.

While the length of sentences is to remain the same, jails in many counties are overcrowded and release inmates after they have served a fraction of their time. That dynamic could lead to more inmates being released early, as counties cope with the influx expected to peak over the next four years.