From: KMJ News, http://www.kmjnow.com/pages/landing?New-Law-Speeds-Up-Release-of-Parolees=1&blockID=613232&feedID=806
New Law Speeds Up Release of Parolees
KMJ NewsThe number of state parolees freed from law enforcement supervision jumped more than sixfold as a little-known law that speeds up the release process goes into effect.
About 8,500 parolees were taken off supervision in April, a number that surprised many law enforcement officials who said they were racing to figure out how to deal with it.
By contrast, about 1,300 parolees were discharged in March.
The shift has two major effects: it means those parolees will receive fewer rehabilitation services designed to ease their transition out of prison and it also effectively reduces the powers police have to monitor their conduct.
When a criminal is on parole, police have broad authority to conduct random searches and arrest them on such violations as possessing weapons or associating with other felons.
The parolee change was included in several laws that Governor Jerry Brown signed last year to trim the budget shortfall by shifting from state to county authorities, all responsiblity for overseeing many prisoners and recently released inmates.
Under the new law, parolees who were last imprisoned for a non-violent and non-sexual offense could be discharged in as little as six months.
Previously, they had to wait at least a year to end supervision.
About 8,500 parolees were taken off supervision in April, a number that surprised many law enforcement officials who said they were racing to figure out how to deal with it.
By contrast, about 1,300 parolees were discharged in March.
The shift has two major effects: it means those parolees will receive fewer rehabilitation services designed to ease their transition out of prison and it also effectively reduces the powers police have to monitor their conduct.
When a criminal is on parole, police have broad authority to conduct random searches and arrest them on such violations as possessing weapons or associating with other felons.
The parolee change was included in several laws that Governor Jerry Brown signed last year to trim the budget shortfall by shifting from state to county authorities, all responsiblity for overseeing many prisoners and recently released inmates.
Under the new law, parolees who were last imprisoned for a non-violent and non-sexual offense could be discharged in as little as six months.
Previously, they had to wait at least a year to end supervision.
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