The backlash against cuts in the community supervision of released felons performed by our Community Corrections members continues.
The latest is a guest editorial in today’s (Nov. 17) Seattle Times by state Sen. Mike Carrell, a member of the influential Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.
Carrell writes that the 2009 budget cuts, with more on the way in 2010, amount to a 180-degree turn from the supervision reform passed in 2007.
The 2007 reforms said “We intend to hold people coming out of prison more accountable for their actions,” Carrell said. “What has changed since then that makes felon accountability no longer a priority?
“Based on the changes made to public safety last session, the message now appears to be that community protection is less important because we have a budget problem.”
Carrell added: “I believe public safety should be the state’s foremost policy. The Legislature must consider other ways to deal with the state’s budget problem rather than putting our citizens at risk.”
Something to think about. You can read the full guest editorial here:
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