Lawmakers Push For Inmates To Notify Families Of Early Release
SAN DIEGO (CBS) — An effort to pass prison sentencing reform following the controversy over the early release of the son of a Southland political insider has cleared its first hurdle.
KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports the bill approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee would require prisoners applying for early release or a pardon to notify prosecutors and families 30 days before the governor can act.
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Many Californians were furious when former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reduced the sentence of Esteban Nunez from 16 years down to 7 years for his role in the stabbing death of Luis Santos without any notification.
Nunez is the son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.
The victim's father, Fred Santos, insists this bill will not reduce the governor's power.
"We are heading in the right direction. This first step...will translate into support by the rest of the legislature and the current governor," said Santos.
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