Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
I read today that you are addressing the issue of overcrowded prisons by trying to get more prisons built quickly. This solution is severely flawed. I am glad to see that a part of your plan deals with helping parolees with programs that could deter repeat offenses. However, the bulk of your plan ignores the problems that are inherent in the system that put the people in prison to begin with.
The issue is not simply that there are too many people in prison, or that some of them are in for longer than they need to be, but that there is a huge number of people in prison who should never have been sent there. People are “over-incarcerated” for nonviolent crimes, particularly for drug offenses. Reform needs to begin with the laws themselves.
Among those who are incarcerated unnecessarily are a number of women who have been convicted of murder for killing abusive husbands in self defense. I encourage you to have these women’s cases reviewed and grant them clemency.
Our criminal justice system needs a major overhaul. I hope you will devote attention to the matter at the very least in proportion to the percentage of our population who are incarcerated.
Truly,
Liz Mann
