Posted on 04/22/2006 8:37:02 AM PDT by kellynla
SACRAMENTO — Already bulging with inmates wedged into gyms and hallways, California prisons must make room for 23,000 more felons over the next five years, according to new projections that are forcing managers to explore still more unusual options — even tents — to house bunks.
The forecast, which outlines much steeper growth than numbers released just six months ago, predicts enough new convicts to fill five prisons. California would have more than 193,000 inmates by 2011.
The growth is being driven by increases in new prison admissions and by parolees who either commit new crimes or violate the terms of their release and are re-incarcerated for short stays.
Though a recent report showed a decline in California's recidivism rate, officials said the state's overall population expansion inevitably means more people breaking the law.
The crowding is intensifying during a time of management turmoil. This week, the acting corrections secretary quit — the second top official in two months to leave amid concerns about the guard union's influence over prison management.
On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named a temporary replacement who told reporters that crowded conditions were a safety hazard and were among his top concerns.
In January, Schwarzenegger proposed building 83,000 more cells — some in county jails, some in state lockups — with bond sales totaling $13.1 billion. But that idea, part of his sweeping public works plan, stalled in the Legislature, and corrections officials are scrambling to create bed space.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Regardless that one third of illegals are being held in prison what do you propose happen instead of them being incarcerated here upon conviction?
So they can waltz right back across the border and continue to prey on citizens and illegals alike?
Go over the voter rolls and make every staunch Democrat house at least one villain. Call it "matching bleeding hearts with those who make hearts bleed, literally".
Last night, my brother in Texas contacted me to inform me that his wife's parents had been involved in a serious accident taking the life of her father and leaving her mother in critical condition. I am bracing for confirmation of what my heart tells me-- that they were victims of the irresponsible act of an illegal alien. That this is the most likely scenario is the fault of an immigration non-enforcement policy that has gone on for years. There has actually been a steep decline in arrests, not an increase except at the border....
The california correctional peace officer's union is now the most powerful union in the country. The more beds the more power they possess. They could care less who they guard as long as they are pulling in six figures a year, which many do.
Drop 'em off at Tierra del Fuego. It's a REAL long walk back from there!
No build a wall/fence and place armed guards at the border.
If they aer deported, then they will be back roaming our streets by the next sundown.
And, where do you get the stat that 1/3 of all those who are imprisoned are illegal aliens?
Hey, they're just doing the jobs Americans won't do.
Condolences to your wife at this time of tragedy.
The housing problem is a red herring - there's nothing but miles of desert to expand a tent city into like that Sheriff in New Mexico has done. He's reduced recidivism there tremendously. Treating convicts like convicts seems to work.
Cool. Be an illegal alien murderer in the USA, and you'll have them deported!!!
That'll teach them!
I'm so sorry.
Please be assured that all of you are in my prayers.
That is so sad to hear. Something similar happened to a friend of mine 10 years ago and the driver was an illegal who fled the scene. Sickening..
People,
This is actually something done right. If illegals are picked up by ICE, they are detained. If there is no room to detain them, and they have not yet had the due process hearing, there is no choice but to turn them loose.
You can't just toss them without due process. Suppose they were American citizens and you deported them? Then what do you do? More importantly, how do you fund the lawsuits they would file when they finally proved it? In fact, when it becomes clear that such a situation can generate millions in lawsuits, a LOT of Hispanic American citizens will start hanging out on street corners hoping to get picked up by ICE, will state they are citizens and offer no proof (one need not prove innocence in this country) and then get deported improperly.
You and I will pay billions for those lawsuits.
There must be due process and frankly, it's probably pretty hard to prove someone is in the country illegally. You can prove they are working without a Soc Sec number, but that's not the same thing.
"what do you propose happen instead of them being incarcerated here upon conviction?"
Any illegal who is arrested should be deported.
Why waste American taxpayer dollars on a trial!
of course until we secure the borders this will be fruitless. LOL
"So they can waltz right back across the border and continue to prey on citizens and illegals alike?"
I think you know that the borders have to be secured FIRST!
gezzzzzzzz some people...
Uh-oh, those words of logic will not be appreciated around here.
Hell, haven't you heard? If you're a hispanic seen near the border with Mexico, Americans are supposed to shoot, shovel and shut-up.
The moderators seem to remove those comments, but they're not rare.
"Any illegal who is arrested should be deported."
Disagree. Only until after conviction and serving time should they be deported.
We have plenty of army surplus tents and razor wire fences. We can build Sheriff Joe Arpaio style prisons all over southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to house the illegals. It will be cheaper than what we now pay in medical, welfare, etc.
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