Release of
Dangerous Felons?
Californians
Make Your Voices Heard !!
Proposed
Proposition 57 Regulations
Friday, August 18, 2017, Sacramento____ Today, Senator Mike Morrell (R-Rancho
Cucamonga) submitted a letter to the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation (CDCR) as part of a public comment period regarding proposed
regulations (link is external) that could lead to the early release of dangerous
"nonviolent" inmates and diminish victim rights.
“For years, Democrats in Sacramento
have led California in a dangerous direction when it comes to the criminal
justice system and the safety of our citizens. Unfortunately, in light of the
passage of Proposition 57, the state is on the verge of taking yet another
detrimental step that could result in more dangerous criminals back on our
streets,” said Morrell. “We must
continue working to keep our communities safe and that is why I am reaching out
for the public’s help in this effort. I have submitted my own concerns to CDCR
and urge Californians to also join me in making their voices heard on this
important issue.”
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
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.
CDCR has opened a public comment period on Proposition 57
that will conclude with a public hearing in Sacramento on September 1, 2017. The public comment
period is a chance for Californians to influence the final regulations for
implementing Proposition 57 to ensure that such criminals continue to serve
their sentences and are not released back into our neighborhoods.
Comments can be submitted in one of
three ways:
E-mail
CDCR-Prop57-Comments@cdcr.ca.gov
(link sends e-mail)
Regular Mail
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Attention: Regulation and Policy Management Branch
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283-0001
Fax
(916) 324-6075, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,
Attention: Regulation and Policy Management Branch