In a new coalition called Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration created by 130 police chiefs, prosecutors, and sheriffs, lawmakers from across the nation recently met in Washington, D.C. to address criminal justice reform. The coalition met with President Obama to figure out ways to push for alternatives to arrests, restore balance to criminal laws, reform mandatory minimum prison sentences, and strengthen community law enforcement relationships.
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis was amongst the leaders to join the coalition to develop ways to safely reduce the nation’s incarceration rate. According to the group, the “incarceration rate in the United States has reached a crisis point.” The group specifically pointed to the changes needed to be made to keep low-level offenders or the mentally ill out of the system. The push for reform comes as law enforcement nationwide has tried to restore its relationship with the community in the face of the disparate impacts that incarceration has on communities of color.
Some of the focus areas the coalition has identified include:
- Encouraging police departments to provide officers and prosecutors for alternatives to address mental illness and addiction outside of the justice system. Seattle, WA has recently launched a similar pilot program.
- Restore balance to criminal laws so the punishment fits the crime.
- Reform mandatory minimum laws to provide for punishments on a case-by-case basis
The group’s report also pointed to California’s Prop 47 as a model for reform.
What to Expect When Entering the California State Prison System
When one is convicted of a crime and subsequently sentenced, s/he then goes to prison to serve out the sentence imposed by the judge. The process of being entered into the system is described by the California Office of the Ombudsman:
- Reception and Classification Process — Upon arrival to a prison reception center, the inmate must go through the reception and classification process. This could take up to 120 days. Once all the inmate’s case factors are reviewed, s/he is assigned a classification score which determines where s/he is placed within the prison system. While in the Reception Center, the inmate will not have telephone privileges nor the ability to receive mail. Approved visitors may visit.
- Inmate placement — Depending on the classification scores, each inmate is placed in a facility with the appropriate security level (numbered from one to four, for maximum security).
- Privileged Group Criteria — Four privilege groups have been established by the state to allow for inmates to attain their GEDs, complete training, etc.
San Diego Jail Process, Bail Process, and Criminal Defense Lawyer
The Law Offices of David M. Boertje handles all misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. We will work with you throughout the process from your arrest to your trial and will do anything we can to keep you out of jail, including striking up deals for probation instead. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, do not hesitate to contact attorney David Boertje today for a free and confidential consultation today.