Violent Offenders Being Released Early

A new study by the Associated Press indicates that California’s early release program is putting violent offenders back on the streets.

The A.P. review of three large California counties found that in the first month of the program more than 50 inmates with violent convictions were let out of jail early.

In Butte County 70 inmates have been let out as part of the early release program, but Sheriff Jerry Smith insists none of them had violent convictions.

“We do not release violent offenders, strikers, sexual offenders or otherwise prohibited people that meet certain criteria,” said Smith.

State guidelines list more than 150 violent offenses that make an inmate ineligible for early release, but critics say the program has loopholes. In one case a Sacramento inmate was let out early on a probation violation even though his underlying conviction was assault with a deadly weapon.

Smith believes the right rules are in place but it is up to each department to properly enforce them.

“To my knowledge nobody has slipped through the cracks, we’ve been very diligent about checking records before issuing a release,” explained Smith.

Smith says he is far more worried about the upcoming flood of inmates due to be released from state prisons. More than 6,000 state prisoners could be let out later this year as part of legislation designed to save the state more than $500 million.

“There’s a possibility that a good portion of those state inmates could be shoved down to the county level. That’s obviously a grave concern,” said Smith.