Series of Bills Could Challenge State’s Prison Realignment Goals
California legislators have proposed three bills that could challenge the state's prison realignment plan, which aims to reduce overcrowding to improve inmate health care, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports (Gutierrez, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 3/8).
Background
About six years ago, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson ruled that federal oversight of the state's prison health care system was needed after determining that an average of one inmate per week died as a result of malpractice or neglect.
In January, Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) administration filed a request for a federal court to allow the state to regain oversight of the prison system. The request stated that California has reduced its inmate population and improved prison medical and mental health care.
However, a report issued late last month by Special Master Matthew Lopes said Brown's request to end federal oversight of the prison health system was premature (California Healthline, 2/21).
Details of Bills
The bills that could challenge realignment efforts would implement lengthy prison terms for individuals who violate their parole. The measures are AB 2, AB 601 and SB 57.
Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) -- co-author of AB 601 -- said that she recognizes the need for prison realignment, but removing the option of prison for parole violators has proved dangerous ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 3/8). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.