Amador County – An inmate released last Monday through California’s controversial prison population reduction plan has been rearrested on charges of attempted rape, stoking criticism from the plan’s opposition. 22-year-old Kevin Eugene Peterson was one of 190 inmates released this week on good behavior after serving 2 months on a 4-month probation violation. He was being housed in the Sacramento County Jail. He was arrested just hours later on suspicion of attempted rape of a female counselor, sexual battery, false imprisonment and violating the terms of his probation. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said before the release that only inmates with non-violent records would be considered for early release. Peterson had been arrested previously for assault against a family member, but was released because the injuries weren’t considered life-threatening. Upon hearing the news, Jim Cooper, a candidate for Sacramento Sheriff in the upcoming election, released a statement saying he is “appalled” by the news. “The decimation of law enforcement resources due to budget cuts means that our worst fears are becoming reality. Response times to 911 calls have increased, sheriff’s deputies have been laid off and now the state piles this on top of us. This is unacceptable and it must stop,” he said. 10th District Assemblymember and Amador County representative Alyson Huber responded strongly to the news. “I was very troubled to hear about the rearrest of an inmate released early today. I voted against the early release proposal because of this very kind of risk and the challenges our local law enforcement will now be shouldered with,” she said. Huber referred to AB 1678, a proposed bill she crafted along with fellow Assemblymember Ted Lieu that would “mandate common-sense public safety protections.” Input on the bill was collected during a meeting last week with law officials, including Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan. It would allow local law enforcement agencies to formally object to the release of certain convicted felons; require CDCR to notify local law enforcement with critical information about recently released inmates; and increase transparency by making public a list of crimes committed by prisoners being released without parole supervision. Lieu sent a letter to CDCR Director Matthew Cate in late January accusing officials of trying to deceive the public by defending the plan. "In my over 15 years of public service, including serving on active duty to defend our country, I have never before seen this scale of deception and misleading statements being made by a California governmental agency to the media," said Lieu. Cate stands behind the plan. The CDCR has called it a “landmark achievement” because it provides incentives for the completion of educational courses and substance abuse programs with the long-term intent of reducing recidivism. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 08 February 2010 00:21
Rearrest Draws Criticism from CA Reduction Plan Opposition
Written by Tom-
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Amador County – An inmate released last Monday through California’s controversial prison population reduction plan has been rearrested on charges of attempted rape, stoking criticism from the plan’s opposition. 22-year-old Kevin Eugene Peterson was one of 190 inmates released this week on good behavior after serving 2 months on a 4-month probation violation. He was being housed in the Sacramento County Jail. He was arrested just hours later on suspicion of attempted rape of a female counselor, sexual battery, false imprisonment and violating the terms of his probation. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said before the release that only inmates with non-violent records would be considered for early release. Peterson had been arrested previously for assault against a family member, but was released because the injuries weren’t considered life-threatening. Upon hearing the news, Jim Cooper, a candidate for Sacramento Sheriff in the upcoming election, released a statement saying he is “appalled” by the news. “The decimation of law enforcement resources due to budget cuts means that our worst fears are becoming reality. Response times to 911 calls have increased, sheriff’s deputies have been laid off and now the state piles this on top of us. This is unacceptable and it must stop,” he said. 10th District Assemblymember and Amador County representative Alyson Huber responded strongly to the news. “I was very troubled to hear about the rearrest of an inmate released early today. I voted against the early release proposal because of this very kind of risk and the challenges our local law enforcement will now be shouldered with,” she said. Huber referred to AB 1678, a proposed bill she crafted along with fellow Assemblymember Ted Lieu that would “mandate common-sense public safety protections.” Input on the bill was collected during a meeting last week with law officials, including Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan. It would allow local law enforcement agencies to formally object to the release of certain convicted felons; require CDCR to notify local law enforcement with critical information about recently released inmates; and increase transparency by making public a list of crimes committed by prisoners being released without parole supervision. Lieu sent a letter to CDCR Director Matthew Cate in late January accusing officials of trying to deceive the public by defending the plan. "In my over 15 years of public service, including serving on active duty to defend our country, I have never before seen this scale of deception and misleading statements being made by a California governmental agency to the media," said Lieu. Cate stands behind the plan. The CDCR has called it a “landmark achievement” because it provides incentives for the completion of educational courses and substance abuse programs with the long-term intent of reducing recidivism. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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