NewsWatch

22

Aug 2009

Willie Horton haunts debate as California Assembly rejects prison cuts

Willie Horton's shadow haunts the Capitol as lawmakers wrestle with how to cut $1.2 billion from state prisons without endangering public safety. More than two decades after Republican presidential candidate George H.W. Bush used televised...

21

Aug 2009

California Senate OKs plan to reduce prison population

The proposal, opposed by the GOP, would cut the time lesser offenders spend behind bars and on parole. The bill stalls in the Assembly, where a watered-down version may be considered. After an impassioned debate over the cost and benefit...

21

Aug 2009

Area chiefs oppose early release of inmates

PASADENA - Area police officials are part of a chorus of state law enforcement officers opposed to the governor's plan for the early release of 27,000 prison inmates. The plan, which the state Senate passed Thursday, would also set up a...

20

Aug 2009

Prison spending cuts pose a political problem and, therefore, a math problem

The budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, assumes that state prison spending will be reduced by nearly $1.2 billion - but doesn't say how more than $631 million of that savings will be achieved. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says only...