tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107037609455779557.post5873617445142667485..comments2024-02-28T05:56:28.293-08:00Comments on California Correctional Crisis: BREAKING NEWS: CA Assembly Guts Inmate Release and Sentencing Reform PlanHadar Aviramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15200780666976305749noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107037609455779557.post-2471353683353699382009-09-02T06:15:36.728-07:002009-09-02T06:15:36.728-07:00Thanks for this comment, Gritsforbreakfast; we'...Thanks for this comment, Gritsforbreakfast; we're very fortunate to have your take on the Texas system inform us. <br /><br />The implication of what you say is that it was a mistake to tie the sentencing commission bill to the rest of the prison reform. It should have been sold as the "sane" and "public safety conscious" alternative to inmate release. It seems that the proposal did not benefit from being lumped with the rest of the decrowding proposals.Hadar Aviramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200780666976305749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107037609455779557.post-29781416411612170852009-09-02T04:59:27.894-07:002009-09-02T04:59:27.894-07:00Your first takeaway is dead on. In TX we've ha...Your first takeaway is dead on. In TX we've had success with budget arguments, but ONLY when it's possible to provide a credible public safety meme to pair with them.<br /><br />One idea that's worked here: "Strengthening probation" to handle more small-time offenders in the community (though drug courts, intensive probation caseloads, etc.) has been an approach that successfully earned bipartisan crossover support here, but it took a GOP committee chairman to successfully carry the message and it was a change in mentality that didn't happen overnight.<br /><br />It's also a lot easier to get legislators to reduce the inflow on the front end (especially by reducing probation revocations, etc.) than to let people out who are already inside. There are a lot of different ways to skin this cat.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.com