As a cadre of judges try to determine how to fix California's sub-standard prison medical care, they are taking testimony for people with new ideas. The LA Times reported:

... James Austin, a criminologist, testified that other states have reduced sentences and prison population and seen drops in crime as well. There would be no added risk if California shortened prison terms as other states have done, he said.

"In Indiana, if you get your high-school degree, you get 12 months off," he said. "If you get a college degree, you get two years off. The whole idea here is to provide that carrot for prisoners. . . . You lower the risk, you lower the length of stay, you lower the cost for that system."

What a concept! Better prepare prisoners so that upon their release they can become productive members of society with real jobs, real wages, real benefits and a real shot of staying on the outside, thus saving the taxpayers $42,000 per year and climbing. (Or should I say prepare at all, as pretty much any subterfuge that the prisons are actually doing one thing anymore to prepare prisoners to be successful upon release has long since been blown wide open).

This might even be a way of countering the 50% high school drop out rate. A delayed way, for sure, but a way.

Let's hope our new national leadership starts us thinking in new and creative ways to solve long-term debilitating problems.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive