Realignment Plan for California Prisons Causing New Friction

California’s inmate realignment plan was intended to relieve the state’s overcrowded prison system by keeping more low-level offenders in local jails rather than transferring them to state custody. By giving local agencies more responsibility for monitoring prisoners freed on probation, the state can save hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that city and county efforts to keep tabs on nearly 6,000 felons released in L.A.

California’s inmate realignment plan was intended to relieve the state’s overcrowded prison system by keeping more low-level offenders in local jails rather than transferring them to state custody. By giving local agencies more responsibility for monitoring prisoners freed on probation, the state can save hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that city and county efforts to keep tabs on nearly 6,000 felons released in L.A. County alone have prompted confusion and anger, jockeying among agencies for millions in public money and warnings that public safety employees are facing new dangers.