Crime and Punishment in California

In a recent editorial, James Austin, President of the JFA Associates, discusses the difficulties California faces after public safety realignment, which moved responsibility for people convicted of nonviolent, non-sex, non-serious crimes from state prisons and parole to county jails and probation officers. California must reduce its prison population by approximately 15,000 inamtes by the end of 2013 without compromising public safety.

In a recent editorial, James Austin, President of the JFA Associates, discusses the difficulties California faces after public safety realignment, which moved responsibility for people convicted of nonviolent, non-sex, non-serious crimes from state prisons and parole to county jails and probation officers. California must reduce its prison population by approximately 15,000 inamtes by the end of 2013 without compromising public safety. Several of the state’s counties have implemented policies to reduce jail violence, recidivism, and probation caseloads. Austin, who is partnering with NCCD on its Realignment Partnerships Program, suggests split sentences and shortened probation to safely reduce the prison population.