Statement by Mayor Kevin Johnson on early inmate release

Sacramento:  Under new state guidelines, county sheriffs in California are
recalculating the time served by jail inmates. Sheriffs are releasing
hundreds of inmates weeks earlier than expected.

In Sacramento County, Sheriff John McGinness expects to release about
250 inmates this week. He has already begun the process.

Many of these inmates are being released in downtown Sacramento. I’m
not pleased by that, but under the law, there is nothing I can do
about it.

However, I have been in contact with Sacramento Police Chief Rick
Braziel, and have asked him to work with the Sheriff to ensure that
the release of these inmates does not impact public safety in the city
of Sacramento.

Public safety is my top priority. The safety of our citizens must not
be compromised.

Under the state’s program, these are non-violent inmates, and they are
getting more credit for time served. The new law took effect last
week.

My only concern here is for the safety of our citizens. I will
continue to monitor the situation with Chief Braziel.

I hope these inmates appreciate their chance for early release. If
they return to their old ways in the City of Sacramento, I want them
to know our police department will arrest them, and they will be sent
back to jail.