by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Margaret Dooley-Sammuli
Drug Policy Alliance

We are thrilled to inform Californians that the Drug Policy Alliance Network has filed a ballot measure that would bring about the biggest prison/sentencing reform in American history.

The Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act (NORA) would provide $460 million each year to fund effective, individualized drug treatment and rehabilitation for tens of thousands of people arrested for nonviolent offenses. NORA also requires the prison system to make a major commitment to rehabilitation programs for people inside and outside the prisons. By stabilizing funding for, and expanding access to, treatment and rehabilitative services, NORA will dramatically reduce the prison population and save $1 billion annually, while allowing our criminal justice system to focus on public safety, not punishing nonviolent drug users. We believe that the changes proposed in the initiative could provide a model for reform nationally.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I've found myself wistful over the demise of health care reform in California, if only because it was so painful to watch.  It was fairly glaring from the start that the resources and the budget structure weren't there to manage such a big issue.  The lesson learned should be that a broader consensus has to be reached, but also that you have to work within the narrow structures forced by the state's processes, or else work to change them.  Such is also the case with prison reform, which is actually a far less insurmountable a goal.

About a week ago we heard about a potential "deal" on solving the prison crisis, where the state would settle the lawsuits that are forcing the possibility of a dramatic release of prisoners.  But notice how this is being done.  It's a "deal" without reform.

over..

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Democratic lawmakers have accused a component of the state correctionsagency of scuttling rehabilitation in a $7.9 billion plan to deal with California's prison crisis. AB 900 states that funding preference should jails should go tocounties that agree to site rehabilitation-focused prisons for paroleviolators and inmates serving the last months of their terms.

Hillary Clinton has surprised all with her thorough preparednessas first lady and on this campaign, according to the LA Times. "She wasforceful and methodical in shaping the Clinton administration'sdomestic policies and political strategy, and proved to be adisciplined partner to her famously disorganized husband: commanding,opinionated, daunting."

So as it turns out, tracking sex offenders by satellite for life isn't practical. Who knew! "I don't know of any agency thathas the resources to track and monitor... in real time," said VacavillePolice Chief Richard Word. Actually implementing Proposition 83 maytake years -- let's work on flying cars first.

Image courtesy of Howstuffworks.com 

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I've written a lot about the California prison crisis in the past, and the last 11 posts I've done about it in the last four months have yielded a mere 25 comments.  It's clear to me that there's a lot of apathy around the issue, combined with twinges of helplessness and the paralyzing recognition that there are no easy answers.  It's the ultimate "out of sight, out of mind" situation, and as a result, we end up warehousing prisoners, "stacking them up like cordwood" and conveniently forgetting about what goes on behind bars.

Well, you no longer have to take my word for it.  You can watch Ted Koppel's riveting two-hour documentary for the Discovery Channel, "Breaking Point," an exploration of life inside Solano State Prison in Vacaville, CA.  And while you're at it, you can make 121 copies and send one to every member of the California Legislature and the Governor, so they can witness the fruits of their failed leadership. over...