VICTOR VALLEY, Calif. State prison officials are inviting public comments on regulations for the release of inmates under Proposition 57, which increased the number of inmates released on parole into communities around California.
So this is your chance to weigh in and urge the state to make public safety the top priority when making releasing decisions.
State Sen. Scott Wilk, whose district includes the Victor Valley, has urged prison officials to consider the full impact of these mandated prisoner releases.
In November 2016, California voters approved Proposition 57, which increased the number of inmates eligible for parole consideration.
Voters were sold a bill of goods leading up to the passage of Proposition 57. They were led to believe that only those criminals who had committed minor “nonviolent” crimes would become eligible for parole. However, when considering the list of crimes billed as “nonviolent” under state law, many would find it unconscionable – crimes that place our neighbors and families in harm’s way, such as:
- Human trafficking of a minor for labor
- Battery with serious bodily harm
- Assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer
- Solicitation to commit murder
- First degree burglary
- Arson causing physical harm
- Exploding a bomb with intent to harm
**source: Senator Mike Morrell newsletter
While felons who commit these crimes will not necessarily be released early into communities when considered for parole, the possibility that they are eligible through a mere “paper” review process should be worrisome.
You can too. By Sept. 1, contact the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via email at : CDCR-Prop57-Comments@cdcr.ca.gov . Or by U.S. mail at:
CDCR
Regulation and Policy Management Branch
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283-0001
(Source: news release from Robert Lovingood)
