California Prison Reform

Dear Governor Brown; Please Reform California Prisons
As a voting citizen of California and for the sake of our *children’s futures, I would like to see at least these things done for all Inmates;
Rehabilitation and Re-entry Programs: Include job training and placement, life skills training, drug and mental health treatment and support therapy. Education, counseling and family support. In some situations, assistance with housing placement or a Halfway House to start may be necessary for successful reentry.
Parole and Probation Reform (include the reform of The Board of Parole goals): Amend parole standards to prevent minor offenders from being returned to the system and programs that assist inmates approaching geriatric age to be released back into society as the chances for them to re-offend are considered low risk. Support programs for Term to Life inmates that include family and life skills, vocational training, and education and job placement programs.
Sentencing and Policy Reform: Regardless of the crime- the specific facts and circumstances of each individual and their crime should be considered for every case when determining a just sentence focused on rehabilitation and eventual return to society. Drop the tough on crime and mandatory minimum sentencing statues!
Remove Federal Prisoners From State Housing: Not only are State facilities being used to house Federal inmates but often those persons were arrested and convicted of crimes that California Voters have determined are NOT illegal activities, as with the California Compassionate Use Act of 1997.
* “As the number of prisoners in California prisons explodes, the state may soon spend more locking up its citizens than on public university education.” By Sasha Abramsky in his article from 2007, Will California Spend More on Jails than Universities?

Thank you for your attention to this critical situation.