County Jails To House Convicted Felons

A new act that takes effect Oct. 1 will see non-violent felons shifted out of state-run prisons and into county-run jails, so the Administrative Office of the Courts Thursday announced the launch of a new online resource center to help courts, justice partners, and the public understand the impacts.

The new Criminal Justice Realignment Resource Center helps users navigate the 2011 Criminal Justice Realignment Act, including its most significant changes in felony sentencing law.

“The Criminal Justice Realignment Act will eliminate prison as a sentence option for various felonies by authorizing courts to impose terms of over one year in county jail for certain felonies committed by specified defendants,” according to a statement on the Criminal Justice Realignment Resource Center website. “There is no limit to the amount of time that may be served in county jail if the conviction is for a felony punishable by imprisonment in county jail. Offenders who serve their sentences in county jail pursuant to this change in the law are not subject to automatic parole or post-release supervision.”

Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) has blasted AB109, a portion of legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in April that makes up the Criminal Justice Realignment Act.

Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff has also urged that county jails are at capacity.

For an at-a-glance look at how the Criminal Justice Realignment Act impacts local jurisdictions, see the attached PDF or click Frequently Asked Questions to download. Scroll to Appendix A in the document to see a list of crimes that will still require commitment to a state prison.