Contra Costa prepares for inmate release
The U.S. Supreme Court today upheld a federal court decision that mandated the release of up to 40,000 inmates from the California prison system.
“Fortunately, we’ve been working on this issue for almost two years,” said County Supervisor Federal Glover. “We have a strategic plan for the county and are actively seeking grants to fund its implementation. Having a strategic plan puts us — as a county – ahead of the eight ball.”
In a 5-4 decision, the high court agreed that having about 160,000 inmates in California’s prisons created overcrowded and unhealthy conditions for a system designed to accommodate 80,000 inmates.
Earlier this year, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill to transfer about 40,000 state prisoners to county jails. This has not been implemented due to a lack of funds. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger moved about 10,000 to out-of-state for-profit prisons to relieve the overcrowded conditions.
In 2009 after a lower court ordered the state to release thousands of prisoners, the supervisors’ Public Protection Committee chaired by Glover and with Supervisor John Gioia, asked the county to partner with a host of community-based organizations to create a plan to reduce inmate recidivism. Released inmates have a 75 percent recidivism rate, which creates a burden on law enforcement agencies and the courts as well raises a concern for public safety.
Two months ago, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors approved the strategic plan written up by Oakland-based consultant Urban Strategies.
To see the Contra Costa Reentry Strategic Plan, click on http://www.cocoreentry.org/?p=381.
