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Thousands of Inmates in California Released Under New Law

Under a new state law, many California prisoners are having their sentences significantly reduced. Thousands of nonviolent offenders have already been released, easing the strain on the California prison system. But according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "The measure has fueled controversy - because everything relating to the release of convicts does - and confusion, because the law fails to spell out exactly which inmates it applies to."

This law comes at a time when California's prison system is operating at 188 percent capacity, and overcrowding is at a dangerous high.

The early release law

The new law that went into effect on January 25 gives inmates more "credit" for time served on their sentences for good behavior. While nonviolent offenders with records of good behavior may have served two-thirds of their sentences in the past, they may now have their sentences reduced by up to 50 percent.

How the law is being interpreted

The San Francisco Chronicle states, "[j]ail officials in the Bay Area have interpreted the law in at least three different ways. Some have released dozens of inmates, some just a few."

Santa Clara County only applies the new credits to prisoners sentenced after the law went into effect. San Francisco is applying the new credit system to all eligible inmates' sentences after January 25, but credits earned before January 25 will stay the same.

The most controversial interpretation is the retroactive interpretation, in which Contra Costa and Sacramento counties have applied the new credit system to all inmates' time served, which prompted the release of 90 prisoners as of February 5.

The future of early releases for prisoners

More prisoner releases will likely follow in the coming months. On February 9, a panel of judges ruled that California prisons have to cut their inmate populations to operate at 120 to 145 percent capacity.

While the California prison system is inarguably overtaxed, many think that putting criminals back on the street is not the answer. Former Gov. Jerry Brown described the order as "a blunt instrument that does not recognize the imperatives of public safety, nor the challenges of incarcerating criminals, many of whom are deeply disturbed."

California will appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.