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Dueling persectives on proposed California prison reforms and a new challenge

By Douglas A. Berman

As highlighted in the links below, the California editorial pages are buzzing over the state's on-going debate over prison and sentencing reforms.  And, as these two pieces reveal, California lawmakers will be criticized no matter what they do (or don't do): An editorial from the San Jose Mercury News  here, "Gutless Assembly copping out on prisons" An op-ed from the San Bernardino Sun here, "Misguided logic drives dangerous state prison plan" Relatedly, this new piece in the New York Times, headlined "California Officials Fear Abduction Case May Hurt Efforts on Parole," highlights how a single high-profile case may alter the on-going debate.  Here is how the piece begins: The case of Phillip Garrido, a parolee and registered sex offender accused of abducting an 11-year-old girl and holding her hostage for 18 years, has become embroiled in the debate over legislation intended to reduce California?s inmate population...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on August 31, 2009 (boomark / email).