The Release of Singleton

It is time to place blame where it belongs regarding the Singleton fiasco. Contrary to the widely held belief that the parole board convened and decided to free him, no one deemed Singleton fit to re-enter society. No one reviewed his case at all. Our state legislators must bear the responsibility for the early release of countless violent offenders, including Singleton.

Thanks to Senate Bill 42, passed in 1976, all prisoners, regardless of the nature of their crimes, receive one day’s reduction in sentence for every day served without incident while working at a “meaningful job” in the penitentiary. That is how Singleton managed to serve only eight years of his 14-year sentence. (If Charles Manson had been sentenced after 1976 he, too, would be paroled without review. Chilling thought!) This state law has reduced parole to an accounting of debits and credits, and when the balance is zero, the prisoner is automatically released.

How many unrehabilitated murderers, rapists and child molesters have been turned loose on society under this “good-time credit” law? It is too terrifying to imagine. How could our representatives in 1976 have acted with such blatant disregard for the safety of their constituents? How can the current Legislature allow this travesty to continue?

The governor, in a televised interview, explained that Singleton is free because “it’s the law.” I say let’s change the law! We cannot allow good-time credit to make a mockery of long sentences given for hideous crimes. We also cannot allow good-time credit to be the sole criteria for parole eligibility, replacing evaluation of character and risk to society.

It is time to take back the power we have bestowed on our elected officials. We must insist upon laws to restrict the use of good-time credit so that violent offenders like Singleton serve most, if not all of their sentences. Prisoners must also be evaluated by a board of living, breathing, responsible professionals before parole is granted.

The only way to effect such changes is to deluge our representatives with letters and calls until SB 42 is just a bad memory. We have the power to force changes to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

LINDA WOLFE

San Diego