Sheriff to Grant First Jail Inmates an Early Release

Despite opposition, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca began preparing to relocate dozens of low-level offenders Tuesday in an effort to save $17 million by gradually moving as many as 2,600 inmates out of county jails.

Thirty to 40 inmates convicted of minor crimes could be transferred to sheriff’s substations as early as today to begin working as trustees, according to Capt. Tom Laing, who oversees the sheriff’s Inmate Reception Center.

They will be the first inmates affected by the sheriff’s early release program, Laing said.

“My ultimate goal is to have every inmate do their full time whether in jail or out in a community-based program,” said Chief Chuck Jackson, who heads the department’s Correctional Services Division. Inmates ordered to serve a year or less are currently being released from jail after fulfilling just half their sentence.

Under the program, most offenders must return home and have a job as a condition of release. Some will be fitted with electronic anklets to monitor their whereabouts while out of custody. Some homeless or mentally ill inmates will be sent to residential facilities, depending upon space availability.

Those who do not complete their prescribed programs will be returned to jail.

Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn and Police Chief William J. Bratton warned recently that the program would send the “wrong message” of a lenient justice system and increase the recidivism rate among low-level offenders.

Baca told county supervisors last month that he has “limited alternatives” for reducing his $1.6-billion annual budget. His department has already cut $84 million and is facing as much as $143 million in additional cuts this year.

Releasing the inmates -- a fraction of the county’s approximately 20,000 -- will save about $17 million by cutting their meals, security and housing.

Candidates are being screened for likelihood to commit more crimes, act violently or violate the terms of their release. Decisions are based on criminal history, recidivism rate, education, mental health, living conditions and inmate self-assessment.

In their letter, Hahn and Bratton urged Baca to reconsider.

“It is imperative that even misdemeanant criminals, especially those who have committed quality-of-life crimes, serve their full sentences,” they wrote.

“Allowing these criminals to be placed on house arrest and in work-release programs before they legally qualify sends a dangerous message that the criminal justice system can be lenient. In addition, the lack of full accountability increases the chances of recidivism for these misdemeanants.”

A spokesman for Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo, who also opposes the release program, said it “will severely diminish public safety here in Los Angeles.” But he vowed that the office would continue to charge offenders with low-level “quality-of-life” crimes, such as graffiti and illegal dumping.

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich also condemned the releases as “reckless” and “irresponsible,” according to his spokesman Tony Bell, who said some of the offenders may have been charged with more serious crimes and pleaded down to crimes that carried lesser sentences. He suggested in a letter to Baca that the sheriff consider other budget-cutting alternatives, including eliminating commander positions, reducing travel expenses and using more civilian personnel.

Baca came under fire during last year’s budget process when he threatened to release 400 inmates accused of committing misdemeanor crimes such as burglary, vandalism and battery, if they were unable to post bail of $25,000 or less. He quickly reversed himself after he was criticized by judges, prosecutors and county supervisors.

Last summer, inmates on average served 70% of their sentences for nonviolent misdemeanors. Today, because of crowding and early releases, such inmates can expect to serve just 4 1/2 months in custody on a one-year sentence.