Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jan 2004
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2004 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Sam Pickering Pick

PRISON REFORM

Re "Major parole moves on the table," Dec. 27: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 
exploration of moves to eliminate parole conditions for nonviolent 
offenders signals a major advance for California.

The governor's primary motives may well be the fiscal health of the state, 
but the overhaul of California's penal system could have far wider 
benefits, including subsequent reform of the "three strikes" law.

Californians should applaud Schwarzenegger's courage as a Republican to 
promote changes in the penal system, particularly his willingness to 
consider releasing prisoners with no violent convictions. Thousands of 
people in California and the United States occupy prison cells for 
possession of marijuana, an offense that would never justify a custodial 
sentence in Great Britain or Western Europe.

It is refreshing to see a conservative politician addressing ideas of 
prison reform, instead of pursuing a "lock 'em up and throw away the key" 
policy.

- - Sam Pickering Pick, Fair Oaks
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom