Timothy P. Silard: California Lagging Far Behind Texas On Criminal Justice
"At one time, Texas built prisons as fast as it possibly could. Now, the state is reforming its criminal justice system by focusing on community-based supervision, rehabilitation and treatment programs -- and it is putting its money behind that plan.
As a result, for the first time in its history, Texas is shutting down an adult prison, saving the state $25 million over the next two years. In doing so, it joins a nationwide trend of states that are moving to shutter expensive prisons, reversing a 40-year prison boom. Michigan, for example, has closed 21 facilities as a result of parole and sentencing reforms, according to a recent report.
California, unfortunately, is not currently part of that trend. Our state, which prides itself on innovation, is lagging far behind in criminal justice reform. But California has a unique moment of opportunity to move into the lead in adopting evidence-based, cost-effective strategies to our public safety approach. In fact, now is the time for the state to make a bold move - closing a state prison.
The immediate need is to fully implement Gov. Jerry Brown's plan (AB 109) to shift the state's lowest risk, nonviolent offenders into community-based corrections, and use the already appropriated "realignment" funds for rehabilitation, instead of opening any more prison or jail beds. The plan is part of the state's response to the U.S. Supreme Court's mandate to alleviate its prison overcrowding problems. "
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