Senate OKs Bill on Mandatory Manual Labor for Inmates Freed Early
Legislation aimed at requiring prisoners who are freed early from budget-pinched Los Angeles County jail facilities to perform manual labor has won unanimous approval of the state Senate.
The bill (SB 485) by Sen. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) is supported by Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block, who recently ordered the closure of two overcrowded jails because of budget shortages. This resulted in the early release of about 3,200 prisoners.
The measure was sent to the Assembly on a 38-0 vote Thursday without debate.
Solis said that even though inmates are freed early, they still should be required to perform public service labor to satisfy their debt to society. Now, inmates can avoid mandatory work because programs apply only to inmates who voluntarily participate.
The projects could include erasing graffiti, home repairs and yard services for senior citizens and maintenance of streets and parks.
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