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According to the Governor's Office - Since Governor Schwarzenegger took office on November 17, 2003 through November 2007 , the Board of Parole Hearings (the Commissioners appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger) have granted release dates to 828 inmates sentenced to life prison. This is two-hundred and seventy-eight (278)more grants given under the Schwarzenegger administration, than over the previous 14 years under two different Governors. Since taking office on November 17, 2003, of the over 828 life sentenced inmates who were given grant dates, Governor Schwarzenegger has allowed parole to go forward on more than 264 violent criminals sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Of these life inmates released - over a dozen have violated their parole! These violations include possession of weapons, being at large (not checking in with their parole officer), traveling in and out of state, assaults on children and of course..drugs. During the past two administrations, Governor Wilson, and then Governor Davis, took the issue of Public Safety very seriously. Under their leadership, appointees to the parole board were tough on crime and most had law enforcement backgrounds. The current composition of the board is shifting back to that of individuals whose professional background does include law enforcement. However, the Senate Rules Committee, Chaired by Senator Don Perata, is discouraging consideration of any individual with law enforcement background for appointment as a Parole Board Commissioner. They are looking for Commissioners with social work, clergy, and it was just suggested in a recent confirmation hearing, farming backgrounds. It appears that Governor Schwarzenegger has given in to the demands of the Senate Rules Committee, appointing Parole Commissioners who are under-qualified and more concerned about keeping their jobs than keeping the citizens of the state of California safe. Below are the number of inmates sentenced to life with the possibility of parole that have been released by Governor Schwarzenegger as well as the number of grants given by each commissioner currently seated on the Parole Board - All appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
Of 18 grants in 2003, he allowed 6 to parole.
In 2004 of 207 grants, he allowed 72 to parole. After "we are disappointed in you" commercials and pending elections, things change.
In 2005 of 179 grants, he allowed parole for 35.
In 2006 of 204 grants, he has allowed parole to 25.
So far this year (2007) , the Governor has allowed the release of 21 life sentenced inmates. Though we hear that he is toughening up and letting fewer lifer inmates out of prison - the proof is in the numbers. 21 life inmates released as of June 2007 - and the month is not over yet.
By comparison,
Governor Davis allowed parole for 8 out of 370 total grants sent to him by the Parole Board during his term in office.
Governor Wilson allowed parole for 132 out of 180 total grants sent to him by the Parole Board during his term of office (8 years).
California's Parole Board Here are the numbers of releases granted per Commissioner for 2007 - remember, these people were sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. We believe that the Governor is beginning to appoint Commissioners that put the public's safety above the needs of the inmate - time will tell. Commissioner A. Stanley Kubochi who was appointed in January 2007, Commissioners Prizmich and Woods were both appointed in March 2007. Commissioner Doyle was appointed in October 2007.
We will update the above information monthly. Numbers do not tell the whole story in this chart. As you look at the chart above you will notice that some Commissioners have low grant numbers, however, the caliber of criminal that they are deeming appropriate for release into society is more than questionable. Some of the inmates that have received grants are not suitable for release and cause a serious threat to society. A concern with granting release to inmates that are not safe to be in our society is that the Governor must then overturn the Parole Commissioner's decision. By doing this, the Commissioner, forcing the Governor to do their job for them, has now made it possible for the courts to intervene. It is common practice when a decision is overturned that an inmate attorney will file an appeal to reverse the Governor's decision. If they find a judge sympathetic to their case, the judge will force the state to release the inmate. This is why we are seeing so many court cases where the courts are ruling that inmates be released from prison. There is also concern regarding the integrity of the Commissioners. A significant decline in grant numbers does not necessarily indicate a change in philosophy for a Commissioner.
2006 Commissioner Grant Numbers Biggers began hearing cases in February of 2006. Davis did not begin to hear cases until March 2006. Williams began hearing cases in May of 2006. Shelton |
