More parolees hit California streets

By James Poulos | Cal Watchdog

Whether young or old, increased numbers of paroled convicts are rejoining California society. A new high court ruling likely will decrease life-without-parole prison sentencing for juvenile offenders. State parole boards are substantially increasing recommendations for release. And Gov. Jerry Brown is facilitating the new approach amid an ongoing effort to comply with several controversial U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

In early May, the California Supreme Court handed down a unanimous ruling that allows judges to opt against denying juveniles the possibility of parole, based on their age and the seriousness of their crimes. That decision cuts against lower courts, which have long assumed that justices should favor sentences of life without parole for juveniles convicted of murder with especially heinous or so-called “special” circumstances.

at Cal Watchdog.