Politics & Government

Bill Seeks To Keep Convicts Off Local Streets

Senate Bill 1441 would make sure serious felons who have lengthy sentences serve their sentences in state prisons rather than county jails.

State Senator Bill Emmerson, R–Hemet, has introduced a bill that aims to relieve the stress on overcrowded Riverside County jails caused by AB109.

Senate Bill 1441 would make sure serious felons who have lengthy sentences serve their sentences in state prisons rather than county jails.

“Unfortunately, the governor and the majority party passed realignment without adequately weighing the consequences,” Emmerson said in a statement. “Now our county jails are overcrowded and prisoners are being released early, putting our communities at risk.”

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AB109, also known as realignment, was enacted partially in response to a federal court order that required California to reduce the prison population by 33,000 prisoners. 

Under realignmnet 52,000 offenders convicted of one or more crimes punishable as felonies will be shifted from state prison to local jails by 2013-14 -- a 40 percent increase over what was required by the court order, Emmerson said.

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SB 1441 will require felons who received a sentence of over three years to serve out their time in state prisons, reducing the overcrowding of prisoners that is straining our jail system. 

In Riverside County more than 200 convicted felons are serving sentences of over three years in county jails, including one defendant sentenced to over 14 years, the legislator said.

He added that as of January 2012, Riverside county jails were at maximum capacity and over 200 prisoners have been released early.

"This is a totally unacceptable situation and severely jeopardizes the safety of the citizens in Riverside County,” Paul Zellerbach, Riverside County District Attorney said.  “This bill proposes a common-sense approach to housing these more serious offenders."


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