Senate Republicans rejected a Democrat plan which would release dangerous criminals back into California neighborhoods to ease overcrowding, stating that no one should be given early release because of the state’s inability to manage its prison system.

The Democrat proposal would facilitate the early release of thousands of so-called “non-violent” criminals from state prisons. GOP lawmakers pointed to the fact that criminals convicted of a myriad of troubling crimes would qualify as “non-violent” criminals eligible for early release under the Democrat plan, including such crimes as human trafficking, stalking, solicitation to commit murder, identity theft and elder abuse.

Senate Republicans also noted that under the majority party’s legislation, a convict need only be present to automatically be awarded credits for every day served discipline free – even if the inmate refuses to participate in any education, work, or rehabilitation program. There would no longer be any motivation for a prisoner to take steps to improve his/her ability to survive crime free on the outside.

Senate Republicans joined law enforcement and victims’ groups in rejecting the proposal and stating that it isunconscionable and bad public policy to consider early release to merely save money.

“This is not prison reform. Releasing prisoners doesn’t solve a problem, but rather creates a major problem. Sadly there are going to be innocent, law-abiding citizens who are going to pay the price with their public safety as a result of the action taken today.”
- Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga).

“What the legislature passed tonight is nothing more than a freebie for prisoners. Where is the incentive to better yourself or work to learn a skill that will keep you out of prison in the future? This isn’t smart on crime, it’s soft on crime and the biggest losers in this are the people of California.”
- Senator Tom Harman ( R-Huntington Beach).

“ California inmates are the only winners with the passage of this bill because now they will receive ‘good time’ credits just for showing up to prison instead of actually earning the early release credits through either work or education.

“This is an early release gimmick cloaked in bureaucratic machinations. Why won’t the Democrats be honest about the intent of this bill and just cut sentences in half? Because ultimately, that’s what this bill will do.”
- Senator George Runner (R- Antelope Valley).

“If this becomes law, the people of California will become less safe, pure and simple.”
- Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks).

“The primary function of government is public safety. It is unconscionable that the State would release prisoners early into our local communities to address budget concerns. It is an ill-conceived, inappropriate, and irresponsible decision for our state government to make.”

- Senator Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills).