Readers -- I am submitting the following council agenda item in light of the May 23 US Supreme Court
decision ordering the release of State prisoners:
Subject: Request for Report from City Manager and Chief of Police on Local Impact of Supreme Court Decision Ordering State to Release Prisoners and Assessment of City Budgeting Necessary to Respond
Discussion:
On May 23, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the State of California to release tens of thousands of state prison inmates, saying overcrowding in the state prison's had resulted in "needless suffering and death." The state is being required to reduce its prison population by as many as 46,000 inmates. Some prisoners will be transferred to local jails, others may be sent to the community to live in half-way houses and still others may be released.
It would be helpful and instructive to the City Council if the City Manager and Chief of Police provide an assessment of the potential impact of this court decision, including what additional public safety budgeting may be necessary.
Recommendation:
Motion to approve a request that the City Manager and the Chief of Police report on the local impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the State to release prisoners and an assessment of what additional public safety budgeting will be necessary to respond.