Los Angeles law enforcement members and related authorities expressed concern over a plan sponsored by Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to release inmates from prisons
in a bid to reduce budget deficit and ease overcrowding in state prisons as the plan takes effect Monday.
Under the plan, a "non-revocable" parole will be granted to 21,000 inmates who have not been convicted of violent crimes or not perpetrated violent attacks while in detention over next two years. Officials from the state prison administration said the state would take at least three months to check inmates' records thoroughly, upload their photos and DNA samples to a database before letting them go.
However, unlike other prisoners released on parole, these inmates will not be subject to parole board supervision after they get out.
The inmates are mainly involved in narcotics crimes, though some were convicted of domestic abuse, grand theft auto, burglary and other offenses. Although police can search them without a warrant for at least a year, and the state would help local authorities monitor serious-crime parolees, this plan is a big concern for local law enforcement members.
About 6,000 inmates will be released under the plan in Los Angeles County, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department's Gang and
Narcotics Division estimates. He believes this will make crime-busting more difficult. A police-turned-councilman even called this "a disaster."
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Office vowed to enhance job training and job placement services to lure the released inmates from the life of crime.