Counties Tell Brown They Need Money For Realignment Law
SACRAMENTO (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has quietly visited 10 California counties this year to see how they are faring under his three-year-old realignment law, which dramatically altered the state's criminal justice system by increasing the burden on local governments.
He says realignment is working.
But sheriffs, county supervisors and police chiefs tell The Associated Press that they have pressed the Democratic governor for more money as they deal with a crush of additional inmates.
They say the money is needed for new jail cells, inmate mental health counseling, and education and rehabilitation programs, among other issues.
Under the law, convicts who would previously go to state prisons are being kept in county jails.
Critics say it is creating overcrowded conditions and forcing counties to release convicts early, sometimes without supervision.
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