2 Early Inmate Releases Headed Here

is readying to help monitor two state prison inmates due to be released back into the Crescenta Valley area.

Prior to AB 109, the 2011 Public Safety Realignment, the inmates, one who will return to La Cañada and the other to La Crescenta, may have been on state parole, but now they will be monitored through county probation, said Dana Toyama, a public information officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The and constitute cruel and unusual punishment by endangering prisoners' health and safety. The court's ruling upheld a California District Court decision made by a three judge panel that ordered the state to release between 38,000 and 46,000 prisoners in the next two years.

The 2011 Realignment only affects those convicted after October 1 of a low-level, non-violent offense who will now serve their time in county jail, whereas before they may have gone to state prison. No state prisoners currently in state prison will be released early or transferred to county jail, Toyama pointed out.

While the county probation department is the lead agency, the CV station, along with the Sheriff's Department’s Community Oriented Policing Bureau, will verify residency and ensure compliance to state release requirements, said Capt. Dave Silversparre.

"Our Department is also enhancing aspects of our computer programs to ensure we have the best and most accurate information available,'' Silversparre added.

CV officials will meet with the released prisoners and advise them about the station’s Parole Mentoring Program which includes a "tri-fold of services available to ensure a smooth and legal transition back into the community,'' he said.

Chief Jim Hunt said many of the offenders being released were convicted of property crimes, so community members and police will have to be especially vigilant in monitoring residential and vehicle burglaries - something equally relevant to the Crescenta Valley, which has seen a spike in vehicle burglaries.

The spike led to a on the windows of cars through which valuables are easily spotted.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly implied that the two released inmates would not have returned to the Crescenta Valley area upon release, but for the 2011 Realignment. The difference is the county probation will now monitor the inmates upon release, rather than the state parole office.