"Hundreds of inmates from county jails have been set free in the past
two weeks, but it's not at all clear they are eligible for release
under the law..."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123567044
Grab your toothbrush and yer underwear boys and girls, yer gettin' cut loose! While we have all heard about the economic woes surrounding the state of California (autographed squad car anyone? It reads: "I'll be back! Love, T-1000"), according to the link listed above from npr.org, federal legislation required California's penal system to change the way inmates earn "good behavior credit", setting them on a fast track to freedom.
As we have seen many times before, our good friend "discretion" poked his head round' the corner to show us a new trick. Unfortunately this time, his tricks resulted in a traumatic experience for one unlucky Californian. Before 22 year-old Kevin Peterson was out of the slammer for a full 24 hours, he was arrested for attempted rape. Though he had served only half of his 4 month sentence, Peterson managed to find his way BACK into the system faster than I can bake a cake.
Some might say Peterson belongs behind bars. It seems to me that an extra two months in California jails wouldn't have done Peterson much good. Still others may say that the California penal system did not have adequate time to rehabilitate Peterson. While I am no criminology expert, it seems quite obvious that the system is in dire need of reorganization. With over 170,000 inmates, California's financial burden from this volume of prisoners is staggering, and if recidivism is indicated by this clown Peterson, California officials need to do a better job of getting this guy and others like him back to work, back to paying taxes, and staying out of trouble. Setting criminals free that aren't prepared to re enter society is not the way to save money.
Penny for your thoughts?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123567044
Grab your toothbrush and yer underwear boys and girls, yer gettin' cut loose! While we have all heard about the economic woes surrounding the state of California (autographed squad car anyone? It reads: "I'll be back! Love, T-1000"), according to the link listed above from npr.org, federal legislation required California's penal system to change the way inmates earn "good behavior credit", setting them on a fast track to freedom.
As we have seen many times before, our good friend "discretion" poked his head round' the corner to show us a new trick. Unfortunately this time, his tricks resulted in a traumatic experience for one unlucky Californian. Before 22 year-old Kevin Peterson was out of the slammer for a full 24 hours, he was arrested for attempted rape. Though he had served only half of his 4 month sentence, Peterson managed to find his way BACK into the system faster than I can bake a cake.
Some might say Peterson belongs behind bars. It seems to me that an extra two months in California jails wouldn't have done Peterson much good. Still others may say that the California penal system did not have adequate time to rehabilitate Peterson. While I am no criminology expert, it seems quite obvious that the system is in dire need of reorganization. With over 170,000 inmates, California's financial burden from this volume of prisoners is staggering, and if recidivism is indicated by this clown Peterson, California officials need to do a better job of getting this guy and others like him back to work, back to paying taxes, and staying out of trouble. Setting criminals free that aren't prepared to re enter society is not the way to save money.
Penny for your thoughts?
Leave a comment