March 9, 2010

California Senate Bill 1487: to Amend Penal Code & Revise Early Release Statutes

On April 30, 2010, the California Senate voted to repeal legislation passed in 2009 that permits county jails to increase the value of good behavior credits, which can lead to early eligibility for parole. Inmates who earned good behavior credits could have their sentences shorted by half; previously good behavior credits could only reduce sentences by one-third. Citing public safety concerns, the California Senate passed SB 1487 which will return the good behavior sentence reduction to one-third. The bill has moved to the General Assembly; if it passes, the bill will be presented to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature.