BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1117
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1117 (Vasconcellos)
As Amended August 29, 2000
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :21-16
PUBLIC SAFETY 5-3
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|Ayes:|Honda, Cedillo, Keeley, | | |
| |Romero, Washington | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Cunneen, Battin, Oller | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Modifies the legislative definition of the purpose of
imprisonment. Specifically, this bill :
1)States that the primary purpose of the entire criminal justice
system is to maximize the public safety of all Californians so
that there are no more victims. The specific purposes of the
Department of Corrections and the California Youth Authority
and imprisonment are punishment as well as the prevention of
crime, and the rehabilitation of inmates.
2)Declares that an effective program of public safety includes a
comprehensive approach to reduce recidivism, this includes,
but is not limited to, educational, vocational, and drug
treatment programs.
3)Declares that in order to improve public safety, prisoners
must be provided with services in order to lead constructive,
law-abiding lives upon release.
EXISTING LAW declares that:
1)The purpose of imprisonment for crime is punishment. This
purpose is best served by terms that are proportionate to the
seriousness of the offense while at the same time providing
for uniformity in sentences of offenders committing the same
offense under similar circumstances.
2)It is the Legislature's intent to develop policies and
SB 1117
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programs designed to educate and rehabilitate non-violent,
first-time felony offenders consistent with the purpose of
imprisonment.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, "As part of an effort to
reorient all our operations toward promoting public safety, SB
1117 expands the purpose of our state prison system from
punishment alone to the prevention, rehabilitation and
punishment of crime. SB 1117 also declares that the Legislature
encourages educational, vocational and drug treatment programs
designed to rehabilitate non-violent, first-time felony
offenders so as to reduce the rate of recidivism and promote our
public safety. By focusing nearly exclusively on punishment,
our state prison system has become a generator of better
criminals, rather than better citizens. Because California
experiences the highest recidivism rate in the country, at 62%,
we are jeopardizing the safety of our citizens by returning
inmates who are likely to re-offend. Of the 160,000 inmates
locked away in California's 33 penitentiaries, more than half
will be released within 24 months. More than half of these
parolees will be convicted of another crime within two years of
their release date. Studies show that most of these inmates
will be sent home without the skills they need to succeed; 50%
are illiterate, 85% are substance abusers and a significant
majority lack education or job skills. A fundamental rethinking
of our system of crime and punishment is crucial in order to
ensure that not only are criminals punished for their crimes,
but that those that return to our communities are properly
treated to reduce the overall amount of harm to themselves and
to society. SB 1117 recognizes the important role that
prevention and rehabilitation must play alongside punishment to
reduce the overall amount of crime in society."
Please see the policy committee analysis for a more
comprehensive discussion of this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Bruce Chan / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744
FN: 0007037 0002051