One of the biggest problems with Proposition 9 is that it wastes a lot of taxpayers’ money. The criminal justice system is already overwhelmed with wasted money and wasted lives, and this proposition does nothing to help. It actually makes it worse.
The arguments favoring Proposition 9 are flooded with half-truths and political rhetoric.
The average cost for locking up someone in a California prisons is $43,000 a year. One report concludes that it costs $1,000 per month in healthcare for any Californian over age 45.
It can be argued that it costs even more for prison inmates because of safety and security concerns. This means that the average Lifer costs the state $55,000 or more per year. A prisoner advocate says some 5,000 Lifers are eligible every year for parole of the estimated 26,000 Lifers currently incarcerated. Only 80 are released, and 95 percent of those are released by court order, not parole.
“Anyone who really
cares about justice and
fiscal responsibility
should grab an oar and
start paddling…”
Consider this: If just half of the eligible Lifers were paroled each year, it would save the state some $250 million annually, plus help relieve overcrowding.
I’m talking about releasing people that have served 20-plus years in prison and have met all the necessary requirements or release. Think about it, ladies and gentleman, you would have doled out adequate punishment to criminals and become more fiscally responsible in the process.
Anyone who really cares about justice and fiscal responsibility should grab an oar and start paddling, because we are all in this boat and we will ultimately sink together. The oar is a “No” vote on Proposition 9.
Think of state government as a business: How could this company not go bankrupt? Who is the CEO managing this train wreck?
Everyone understands that criminals should be punished for their crimes. We all need to also understand that when they have been punished according to the law, they should get another chance at life and liberty.
