Your chance to be heard ends April 13 on CDCR’s attempt at permanent early prison release regulations for violent offenders.
Message from District Attorney Dan Dow

Public Comment Period ends April 13 on CDCR’s Attempt at Permanent Early Prison Release Regulations for Violent Offenders. Let your voice be heard today.

Author: District Attorney
Date: 4/11/2022 1:37:32 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow informs the public of their right to be heard before the prison system (CDCR) makes “emergency” regulations permanent and allows release of thousands of violent inmates. Public comment period closes on Wednesday, April 13th. Hearing is Thursday, April 14th. Read article to learn how you can be heard today.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office is advising the public that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR) is seeking to enact permanent regulations which would result in the early release of thousands of violent offenders and “nonviolent second strikers.”

The CDCR is required to hold a public comment period before the regulations become permanent. The CDCR is also required to consider and address all comments made. The deadline for this item is Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Under the proposed regulations, CDCR seeks to reduce sentences already imposed by Judges by increasing time credits awarded on those sentences. Violent offenders could have their conduct credit rate increased from 20% to 33%. ‘Nonviolent’ second strikers could see an increase from 50% to 66%. For example, on a 10 year sentence an individual could be released after having served only 3 years and 4 months.  “Last week’s murder spree in Sacramento is a prime example of how policies like this can go horribly wrong,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “That's why more than 40 DA's including myself have sued the prison system – CDCR. Please make your voice heard today.”

The CDCR has had these regulations in place for 10 months as “emergency” measures which avoided meaningful public participation in this significant policy change. These regulations also include increased credits for individuals in fire camps.

The public comment period ends on April 13, 2022. Any person may submit written comments about the proposed regulations by e-mail to [email protected] or by mail to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Regulation and Policy Management Branch (RPMB), P.O. Box 942883, Sacramento, CA 94283-0001. Written comments must be received or postmarked no later than April 13, 2022. All written comments must include the rule number, NCR 22-03, OAL Notice File No. Z2022-0215-10.

There public teleconference hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in which individuals may make comments.  The details of the hearing are found here on their website, https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/regulations/2022/04/06/teleconference-public-hearing-for-ncr-22-03/

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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