By John W. Lillpop
California's prison system has been, and continues to be, in severe crisis due to mindless policies on illegal aliens and the death penalty.
The population of incarcerated inmates in the Golden States exceeds prison capacity by a margin of 2-1, and the federal government has threatened to take over management of the system unless overcrowding is addressed.
California Governor Arnold Schwarchenegger attempted to alleviate overcrowding by sending inmates to leased facilities in other states.
However, on February 20, 2007 a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge ruled that Schwarzenegger's plan was illegal.
Significantly, approximately 30 percent of the inmates in California prisons are illegal aliens, or "documented criminals," if you prefer PCBS.
The cost of incarcerating these "good hearted, hard working" criminals amounts to about $1.4 billion a year (not including related law enforcement and judicial expenditures or the monetary costs of the crimes that led to their incarceration.)
Source: http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iic_immigrationissuecentersffec
Given the fact that illegal aliens are such a significant part of the prison crisis, one would expect any prison reform package to include specific proposals for dealing with this prison segment.
A serious reform package should have included:
* Plans for expediting deportation proceedings;
* Aggressive measures to recover incarceration costs from mother nations, and
* Demands that the federal government secure our borders and enforce immigration laws, including prompt deportation of illegal aliens.
Regrettably, none of the above issues was addressed in a " historic prison reform package" passed by legislatures on April 26, 2007.
Instead, the legislature passed a $7.4 billion white elephant that does not address the core issues involved. That conclusion is shared by politicians on both ends of the political spectrum.
Now on it's way to Governor Schwarchenegger for signature, the bill may avert a federal takeover of the prisons, but accomplishes little else.
See story: http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_5762870
Overpopulated prisons are not the only problem brought to California by illegal aliens. The cost of educating, housing, feeding, and providing heath care to criminal invaders amounts to several billion dollars a year in California alone.
Despite what common sense and responsible governance would dictate, San Francisco Mayor San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom continues to declare The City to be a "sanctuary city," and vehemently opposes federal raids to ferret out illegal aliens who have violated deportation orders.
Mayor Newsom even went so far as to say, "I will not allow any of my department heads or anyone associated with this city to cooperate in any way, shape or form with these raids."
Debra Saunders: http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272612974.shtml
Odd that, the top law enforcement authority in a major American city prohibits city employees from following or enforcing laws he disagrees with!
Newsome is the same lawless thug who willfully, and joyfully, violated the will of the people and California state law by presiding over several gay marriage ceremonies on the steps of City Hall in 2004.
With dim wits like Mayor Newsome and the City's Favorite Daughter, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, allowed to run around unrestrained, fascism looks to have a bright future, at least in San Francisco.
California's prison crisis was further exacerbated by a liberal activist judge. In February 2007, U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel ordered California to alter its lethal injection procedures.
With that ruling, Fogel effectively delayed the scheduled execution of killer Michael Morales.
As of April 27, 2007, convicted killer Morales continues to occupy desperately needed prison space.
All because some fuzzy headed liberal judge was concerned that a brutal killer would suffer "excruciating pain" after being pierced with a needle in a procedure more akin to a flu shot than an execution.
Question: Why are liberals more concerned about illegal aliens and murderous thugs than they are about law-abiding citizens who respect and obey the law?
John Lillpop is a recovering liberal.
