SACRAMENTO — Hoping to reduce the number of Californians who cycle in and out of prison, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has quietly signed a bill allowing nonviolent ex-convicts to earn their way off parole early by completing an intensive drug treatment program.
The new law marks a significant -- and wise -- change in the state's approach to parole, says an expert who has previously accused the governor of wavering on prison reform. UC Irvine criminologist Joan Petersilia said other states have already demonstrated the benefit of giving low-risk ex-felons a chance to shorten their parole terms through good behavior.
"This is good policy because it adds a carrot to the stick we use so heavily in parole in this state," she said. "The research shows that if you give people incentives, they are more likely to stay involved in treatment and succeed."
Under the law, which takes effect in January, only ex-convicts who were serving time for nonviolent crimes -- such as drug or property offenses -- and have completed at least six months of addiction treatment in prison will be eligible. No one convicted of a sex offense will qualify.
Once released, eligible parolees who wish to participate will be sent directly to a residential drug treatment program for five months. If they graduate, they will immediately be freed from parole supervision.
By contrast, most California parolees now undergo three years of monitoring by their parole agent and are subject to conditions limiting travel and other aspects of their lives. A small number are discharged after one or two years, if they have no dirty drug tests or other violations.
The bill's author, state Sen. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), said she was surprised but delighted that the Republican governor signed her measure, especially during an election year when a move shortening parole terms could be labeled soft on crime.
The bill enjoyed support from a wide variety of groups, including the politically powerful prison guards union. Lance Corcoran, a spokesman for the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., said parolees "who demonstrate that level of commitment to treatment deserve recognition for their effort."
"It's a concept worth supporting," he said. "The only question is how they are going to come up with enough drug treatment beds for everybody who qualifies."
