Issue Position: Public Safety

Issue Position

Public safety is the most essential and basic duty of government. While Martha realizes that overcrowding and prison costs are real problems that cannot be ignored, Martha would completely reject the initiative her opponent supported (Prison Reform Bill ABX3) which will let 27,000 convicted criminals onto California streets. This bill does not separate violent from non-violent criminals and it has been discovered that felons convicted of human trafficking, stalking, identity theft, and violent child abuse would be among the eligible recipients of early release. Couple this information with the fact that California has a 70 percent recidivism rate and this bill is particularly troubling. The state of Illinois pursued a similar policy and within a short time the majority of the inmates they released were back behind bars after conviction of new violent crimes.

This infuriating bill will not only increase crime, but will also increase costs in the long run because inmates will have to be tried and re-processed. As assemblywoman, Martha would recognize that a government's first and most basic duty is to provide for public safety. In order to rein in costs, I propose reducing bloated bureaucracy and mismanagement. While Department of Corrections' inmate population has decreased by 1 percent in the last three years, during the same period expenditures have increased by almost 32 percent according to a study conducted by the California State Auditor Report in 2009. To reduce costs, first I would support employing smarter technology to increase efficiency. For example, the state can save millions of taxpayer dollars by utilizing telemedicine visits so that inmates do not have to be physically transported for doctor visits.

I also would support legislation that increases parole hearings so eligible inmates could be released on parole and not take up space and precious resources in jail. In Pennsylvania, it is estimated that parole inefficiency cost the state $61 million annually. This would reduce the overcrowding issue as well. Additionally, Martha would support continued efforts to move the least serious inmates to county prisons, or prisons in other states. These measures alone may not solve the problem, but they illustrate the point that creative, money saving solutions are possible and represent a better alternative then releasing prisoners which is proven to be dangerous and ineffective.

In addition to supporting prisoner release, my opponent also supported cuts to redevelopment agencies. The withdrawal of these funds has led to police cuts and shortages in Long Beach. This irresponsible policy choice would not be continued if Martha were elected. Cuts may be a political reality, but we should cut waste and unnecessary government programs before we cut police officers. For more details on where Martha would work to cut government waste, click on the budget and taxes page.

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