Publication: Davis Vanguard
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed a measure designed to reduce the number of people in prison by giving first-time low level offenders a second chance and older prisoners a bit of a break.
AB 3234, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), will provide judges with discretion to put first-time misdemeanor offenders in a diversion program and also amends the Elderly Parole Program.
Since the spread of COVID-19 remains a major concern throughout California prisons, the passage of AB 3234 authorizes the state to “ease overcrowding, while also expanding opportunities for second chances without increased risk to public safety,” said Ting.