TODAY IS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER'S DEADLINE: PROVIDE PANEL WITH PLAN ON REDUCTION OF PRISON POPULATION

Today, September 18, 2009, is the day Gov. Schwarzenegger must provide a federal panel with a plan. His requests for an extension were denied and today is THE day. The plan must show the panel how the state of California intends to reduce its prison population, the largest in the county.

I wrote about the prison population, in general and specifically in California, earler this week here. 

Hopefully, other issues will be discussed besides, "Oh my! Is the scary violent person going to move into my neighborhood and kill my family?" This kind of stereotypical fear of the "felon" provides for a good scapegoat for the states, instead of dealing with the greater issues: the cost of health care within the prisons and the broader issue of rehabilitation and treatment over incarceration.

www.xpunged.com and www.tamaraholder.com