Re "Realignment doesn't lead to early release" (Viewpoints, Oct. 13): Writers Linda Penner and Joan Petersilia give half the story. The authors neglected to note that, under realignment, repeat felons assessed to be at a low risk by the evidence-based practices they praised, cannot be returned to prison for violating parole or committing new felonies including spousal abuse, auto theft or commercial burglary.
Instead they serve short terms in overcrowded county jails or are released on probation. Last month Fresno police arrested Michael Crockell, a low level offender on supervised release under realignment, for murdering 46-year-old Lisa Gilvary, seriously injuring her roommate and assaulting a responding police officer.
In May, a realigned felon who served two days of a 100 day jail sentence for violating parole, beat 20-year-old Brandy Arreola so severely she is permanently disabled. These victims were not lab rats. Experimenting with public safey is wrong.
-- Michael Rushford, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation president, Carmichael
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