Image not recoveredjailcellprison-300x199.jpg
On October 1, as thousands of state prison parolees are released to the 58 counties, Mayor Michael D. Antonovich warned that the public should be prepared for an increase in crime in the coming year and another unfunded financial burden for taxpayers. “In dumping these felons on local governments’ doorsteps, the Governor is playing fast and loose with the facts. Contrary to his comments that realignment is a ‘bold’ step, it is actually a reckless and pathetic shirking of the state’s responsibility to its citizens.”

“The Governor’s statement, ‘There’s no turning back, the only way is forward,’ is stupid when his only way forward is falling off a cliff,” he added, and pointed out other falsehoods in the Governor’s plan which include:

  1. On the Governor’s proposal to use fire camps to house inmates, first, there aren’t enough fire camps to house the inmates and, second, not all inmates meet the physical and medical requirements to fight fires.
  2. He is hijacking local jail funding from AB 900, which was to build new jails, not house new state felons.
  3. His suggestion that the counties can contract back with the state for prison beds makes no sense when the state doesn’t have bed space.
  4. He is prohibiting counties from contracting with private and other out-of-state facilities even though the state does it.
  5. He is dumping 100% of the state’s responsibility and liability for state felons to counties without full reimbursement.

“The 58 counties across the state are rightfully concerned about the public safety and fiscal impacts of this Trojan horse.”

“With overcrowded jails housing misdemeanants only serving 20% of their time now, many will now do the crime and serve no time after realignment is implemented. That means more criminals — and more crime — in our communities and neighborhoods.”

“Not having full funding will also compromise the county’s ability to provide public safety, healthcare and other vital services,” he added.