Bail Industry Takes Part in Criminal Justice Panel Discussion
For the first time in California, local government came together with law enforcement, public safety advocates and members of the commercial bail industry to discuss the impact of Governor Brown's Realignment Bill on public safety and the community. The general consensus was that the bill- AB109- has had a negative impact across the state since its implementation.
The discussion, which was open to the public, included experts such as:
€ President of the California Police Chief's Association, Kim Raney (Covina Police Chief)
€ Fontana Police Chief, Rodney Jones
€ East Judicial District Judge, Honorable Steven Blades
€ Founders of Advocates for Public Safety, Lynne Brown and Dwight Brown
€ Vice President Corporate Communications, Eric Granof
The purpose of the realignment plan was to reduce the extreme overcrowding of the California prison system. This was mandated by the US Supreme Court in 2011. The Governor's solution was to transfer over 24,500 inmates from state prisons into county jails. These inmates are identified as non-violent, non-serious and non-sex related offenders. Upon release, they would then be supervised by county probation officers rather than state parole officers.
One of the points made by the panel was that some of the offenders who were released had criminal backgrounds that included violent crimes. But, because only their current crimes were taken into account for release, they were eligible to be transferred from prison.
Eric Granof pointed out the effect of AB109 on pretrial jail populations. County jails were designed to house inmates for periods of less than one year. With more long-term inmates being housed inside county jails, there is less room available for pretrial inmates, leading to more defendants released on their own recognizance or through taxpayer-funded pretrial release programs.
Research shows that people who are released in these ways are less likely to appear in court for their hearings. Knowing the current state of jail crowding, many offenders are confident that the chances that they will spend any time in jail are nonexistent. Removing accountability from the system will likely lead to a failure of the system.
For this reason, Mr. Granof stands behind the important role of the commercial bail industry in public safety. He claims that the financial obligation set with a bail bond for their release is enough reason to bring most defendants back to court.
Also discussed during the panel were some of the myths around the commercial bail industry. One of the myths was that 70% of people in jail are awaiting trial and cannot afford a bail bond, and that is what is causing the overcrowding. Mr. Granof explained that, while there are many people who are under €pretrial status€ are not eligible for bail. In reality, only 13% on pretrial inmates in jail are eligible for bail.
It is hoped that this type of discussion panel will be a recurring event. It can be a useful tool for finding the most effective ways to manage jail and prison populations while maintaining the safety of the community.
The discussion, which was open to the public, included experts such as:
€ President of the California Police Chief's Association, Kim Raney (Covina Police Chief)
€ Fontana Police Chief, Rodney Jones
€ East Judicial District Judge, Honorable Steven Blades
€ Founders of Advocates for Public Safety, Lynne Brown and Dwight Brown
€ Vice President Corporate Communications, Eric Granof
The purpose of the realignment plan was to reduce the extreme overcrowding of the California prison system. This was mandated by the US Supreme Court in 2011. The Governor's solution was to transfer over 24,500 inmates from state prisons into county jails. These inmates are identified as non-violent, non-serious and non-sex related offenders. Upon release, they would then be supervised by county probation officers rather than state parole officers.
One of the points made by the panel was that some of the offenders who were released had criminal backgrounds that included violent crimes. But, because only their current crimes were taken into account for release, they were eligible to be transferred from prison.
Eric Granof pointed out the effect of AB109 on pretrial jail populations. County jails were designed to house inmates for periods of less than one year. With more long-term inmates being housed inside county jails, there is less room available for pretrial inmates, leading to more defendants released on their own recognizance or through taxpayer-funded pretrial release programs.
Research shows that people who are released in these ways are less likely to appear in court for their hearings. Knowing the current state of jail crowding, many offenders are confident that the chances that they will spend any time in jail are nonexistent. Removing accountability from the system will likely lead to a failure of the system.
For this reason, Mr. Granof stands behind the important role of the commercial bail industry in public safety. He claims that the financial obligation set with a bail bond for their release is enough reason to bring most defendants back to court.
Also discussed during the panel were some of the myths around the commercial bail industry. One of the myths was that 70% of people in jail are awaiting trial and cannot afford a bail bond, and that is what is causing the overcrowding. Mr. Granof explained that, while there are many people who are under €pretrial status€ are not eligible for bail. In reality, only 13% on pretrial inmates in jail are eligible for bail.
It is hoped that this type of discussion panel will be a recurring event. It can be a useful tool for finding the most effective ways to manage jail and prison populations while maintaining the safety of the community.
