District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced today that she’s joining with 14 other district attorneys in a lawsuit to prevent the early release of convicts from state prison.
Following two class action lawsuits last month, a three-judge panel was appointed to examine the overcrowding issue in California’s prisons. That panel could conclude that the early release of some prisoners is one remedy for the overburdened system.
The district attorney’s lawsuit was filed by Riverside DA Rod Pacheco earlier this week.
Dumanis is quoted in a press release as saying:
This is an important public safety issue facing all Californians, not just San Diego County residents. If an early release program is ordered by the court, it would mean dangerous criminals will be back on the streets to commit more crimes.
The press release also states that United States Code “requires the court to give substantial weight to any adverse effect on public safety or the operation of the criminal justice system caused by the early release of state prisoners.”