The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

That's why we are disturbed to learn that Schwarzenegger's $212 billion bond proposal includes billions of dollars to build two new prisons and increase the number of inmate beds in California by 83,000 in both county and state facilities.

In a telephone conference call last week, Schwarzenegger argued that the state's population is growing, and that California will need more prison space. He acknowledged that the crime rates statewide have dropped in recent years, but said that crime is linked to economic cycles, and if the economy deteriorates, crime rates could go up again. "We have to be prepared," he said.

As for the administration's embrace of rehabilitation, Mike Genest, the governor's finance director, noted that the 2006 budget includes $52 million for education and rehab programs. He says that overcrowded prisons make it difficult to implement these programs, and that new prison space is crucial to the success of the entire initiative.

We agree that the overcrowded prisons are intolerable. It's quite possible that, despite our building spree of the past several decades, more prison beds will be necessary.

But before embarking on another huge expansion of our correctional system, Schwarzenegger must present a comprehensive plan to reduce the prison population. Such as plan was nowhere to be seen in his budget and bond proposals last week.

For guidance, Schwarzenegger need look no further than the 2004 report by his appointees on the Corrections Independent Review Panel. Former Gov. George Deukmejian -- and state attorney general -- chaired the 25-member panel. Almost all panel members were officials from the Department of Corrections, the California Highway Patrol and other law-enforcement agencies.

Schwarzenegger appears to have missed the panel's central point. "The key to reforming the system lies in reducing the numbers," the panel concluded -- and provided a detailed blueprint for how to do it.

Its proposals included a revamping of the "determinate" sentencing system in which most inmates are released on parole without having to demonstrate to anyone that they are ready for life on the outside.

Deukmejian's panel recommended that inmates should be given greater incentive to rehabilitate themselves, in return for sharply reduced sentences. It made the obvious point that the parole system must be drastically reformed so that parolees don't end up back in prison. For example, it suggested that parole agents should concentrate on parolees who represent the greatest risk. It also urged releasing older inmates who present no threat to public safety, as well as finding alternatives to prison for nonviolent drug offenders.

Remember, this is the same Deukmejian who ran for attorney general advocating "use a gun, go to prison," and ran for governor on equally "tough on crime" platforms. During the time he was in state office, California passed more than 1,000 laws lengthening prison terms.

Although not mentioned in the Deukmejian report, state officials could grant more "compassionate releases" to old, dying inmates. Schwarzenegger should heed the recommendations of his own parole board to release inmates who have served sentences commensurate with their crimes and have demonstrated that they are fully rehabilitated. Schwarzenegger must also back reasonable reform of California's "three strikes'' laws.

In its current form, Schwarzenegger's plan is likely to run into stiff opposition in the Legislature -- as it should.

"We have just put the 'R' into the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation," Sen. Gloria Romero, D-L.A., chair of the Select Committee on California's Correctional System, told us. "Let's give it a chance to work."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/01/15
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