Craig, some may think the move towards early release of non-violent criminals is solely political, but both right and left are concerned with the skyrocketing costs of incarceration and the burden on state budgets....
This is why I mentioned the California example. Apparently, they have a parole board, a state supreme court ruling having something to do with cruel and unusual, and a current gov who claims he doesn't know why he's approved more paroles than the previous three state administrations combined. No direct reference to cost savings, but possibly so.
Supposedly, the state gov has approved the release of some vague number between 1500 and 2300 murderers. Recidivism is reported to be surprisingly low from stats released through '10. The current gov took office in '11, and has been hailed by progressives, politically left leaning, for his u-turn on incarceration from previous policy.
The previously low recidivism rate for the handful of violent lifers that were released may have had some to do with their relatively advanced age. A good piece of the u-turn involve the release of young adult violent offenders. California law enforcement has acknowledged a corresponding recent increase in crime, but there's no release of the actual stats so far.
Only thoughts Gil, and possibly related to the topic and the will to enforce. You may be right though, the Guantanamo release recidivism rate is probably higher. Another cost savings move?
