By John Hemmerling<\/p>\n
]The upcoming election for Sheriff in 2022 is of vital importance to public safety in San Diego County. As the Chief Criminal Prosecutor in the City of San Diego, I have witnessed a steady rise in crime, while politicians and bureaucrats at the State level hold hands with violent criminals. The latest outrage is the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR)\u2019s plan for the early release of violent criminals. On April 13, 2022, I submitted the following statement to CDCR, opposing this plan:<\/p>\n
I am John Hemmerling, the Assistant City Attorney and Chief Criminal Prosecutor at the city of San Diego, in charge of the Criminal and Community Justice Division. I am contacting you as a concerned citizen of San Diego County.\u00a0I strongly oppose the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR)\u2019s plan for the early release of criminals.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed regulations, CDCR seeks to reduce sentences already imposed by increasing credits awarded on those sentences. Violent offenders could have their conduct credit rate increased from 20% to 33%. \u201cNon-violent second strikers\u201d could see an increase from 50% to 66%.\u00a0For example, on a 10-year sentence an individual could be released after having served three years and four months if the proposed regulations are adopted. Note that offenses characterized by CDCR as non-violent include offenders who were convicted of human trafficking and domestic violence, and those who have dangerous criminal histories of armed robbery and attempted murder. This means\u00a0the victim of\u00a0a violent\u00a0crime who thought they were safe from an attacker for at least 20 years, for example, will now be looking over their shoulder in 10 years!<\/p>\n
CDCR\u2019s proposed changes are retroactive, meaning many felons will\u00a0be eligible for\u00a0release immediately.\u00a0\u00a0Why make these changes now, when crime is on the rise in our communities? Why are we continually giving criminals avenues to continue\u00a0terrorizing\u00a0our neighborhoods?\u00a0Why are we advocating more for criminals than victims?<\/p>\n
We already afford those who have made a\u00a0mistake in truly nonviolent offenses opportunities for rehabilitation and integration.\u00a0\u00a0Perhaps that should be the focus, and maybe even enhanced, for the benefit of society.\u00a0However,\u00a0violent criminals, including many considered \u201cnon-violent\u201d under CDCR\u2019s narrow definition (including offenders who were convicted of human trafficking and domestic violence, and those who have dangerous criminal histories of armed robbery and attempted murder), only leave\u00a0prison\u00a0more violent – why\u00a0would we\u00a0let\u00a0them out early?<\/p>\n
The social\u00a0justice agenda is\u00a0overtaking common sense criminal justice. These early releases of criminals further\u00a0threaten the safety of our communities<\/u>\u00a0and inflict additional suffering on the\u00a0victims of crime<\/u>.<\/p>\n
Extending additional credits to inmates with serious and violent criminal histories is NOT in the interest of justice or the public\u2019s safety. Opening the jailhouse doors years earlier than the sentence imposed by the judge who heard all the evidence and heard the victim\u2019s pain, undermines our entire criminal justice system!\u00a0That sentence should stand and not be altered after the fact beyond the credits already allowed under California law.<\/p>\n
Public safety\u00a0is the number one\u00a0job of\u00a0government. Those of us entrusted with protecting the community must put victims first, not criminals!<\/p>\n