ACLU DREAM, CITIZEN NIGHTMARE STATE SENDING FELONS TO NEIGHBORHOOD JAILS

 

 

 

       

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy Office:     (213) 974-5555  Cell: (213) 215-5176 E-mail:     tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

      May 14, 2010                                                                 For Immediate Release

 

ACLU DREAM, CITIZEN NIGHTMARE STATE SENDING FELONS TO NEIGHBORHOOD JAILS

 

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY –  “The chutzpah of the Governor proposing to release state felons to serve their sentence of three years or less in county jails threatens public safety and adds additional costs to local taxpayers,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.  “Opening the prison gates is a dream come true for the ACLU -- but threatens local government’s ability to preserve public safety.” 

 

“The Governor’s proposal reimburses counties less than 50% of the housing costs and further jams local taxpayers for full in-custody medical costs and supervision once they are released from jail. 

 

What Sacramento bean counters have never figured out is the fact that county jails are not designed to house state felons nor are there enough beds for both state and local inmates -- as a result, compromising the safety of our communities.”

“In January, the Governor signed a law that undermines local public safety by allowing so-called ‘non-violent or low level offenders’ to be free of any parole supervision, including zero consequences for violating terms of parole.  As a result, our Sheriff and other local law enforcement agencies are forced to assume the role of parole agents.”

 

“With over 100 major businesses taking their jobs to other states, and with California just receiving the “Booby Prize” by 600 CEOs for excessive taxes and for being anti-jobs, this action continues the demise of the once great Golden State.”

 

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