Blog Jun 26, 2012
Life after Murder by Nancy Mullane
Life after Murder follows five individuals serving life with the possibility of parole in California’s San Quentin prison and upon their eventual release back into the Bay Area. Inmates serving life with the possibility of parole sentences are required to appear before a parole board and prove that they no longer present a danger to society before they are granted release. The parole board comprises law enforcement and corrections professionals who are appointed by the Governor. During…
Blog Jun 21, 2012
A road map for adult realignment
Adult realignment, the shift of lower-level felony offenders to local supervision under AB 109, continues to pose a challenge to many counties as they struggle with how to serve this expanded population of offenders at the local level. Recent reports indicate many of the large counties have responded through initiating a planning process to construct new jail bed space rather than shifting current practices. A few counties have found this increased offender population manageable by…
California has seen a dramatic increase in state and local incarceration rates since the 1970’s. The current crisis confronting state and county justice systems is the product of what is now recognized as poorly conceived correctional policy and decision making primarily at the state level. The massive rate of incarceration was avoidable. A CJCJ recent analysis , conducted with the support and collaboration of the Santa Cruz County Probation and Sheriff Departments and the County’s Superior…
Blog Jun 15, 2012
High cost, low return of longer prison terms
A new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that the length of time served in prison has increased nationally by 36% since 1990. This has translated into an average of nine additional months of incarceration per prisoner. This results in extra costs to states totaling more than $10.4 billion per year. The study found that over half of those additional costs were spent on non-violent offenders who posed minimal risks to public safety. Nationally, states spend over $51 billion each year…
Blog Jun 14, 2012
Youth Gangs In American Society
A survey of the literature on gangs and gang activities in America includes theoretical perspectives on why gangs exist, gang typologies, descriptions of gang activities, and various intervention strategies for dealing with gangs.