Some speakers at a panel at the Sacramento Press Club Wednesday said any long-term solution must help offenders rehabilitate.
“We really need to start investing in drug treatment and mental health treatment at the level that is commensurate with the problem that exists in our communities," said Lenore Anderson with Californians for Safety and Justice. “At this point we don’t have commensurate investments.”
Anderson also favors risk-based sentencing over mandatory minimum sentencing.
Other experts argued that realignment wasn’t well thought out because it was in response to a federal deadline to reduce overcrowding.
“AB 109 is a good concept that was driven by the wrong reasons,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown.
All the speakers emphasized the need to prioritize public safety in any prison population reduction plan.