Prisons Need Reform

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In his article in the Sacramento Bee, Pat Nolan challenges CA lawmakers to correct a prison system that has veered terribly off course.  California should follow the example of other states across the country that have adopted smart solutions to cut their prison populations, their crime rates, and their corrections costs.

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To: My fellow conservative Republicans in the Legislature

From: Pat Nolan, Assembly Republican leader, 1984-1988

Re: California's prison crisis

I was as "tough on crime" as any of you during my eight terms in the Assembly. I received the Victims Advocate Award from Parents of Murdered Children. I generally favored stronger penalties and also introduced the Death Penalty Restoration Act.

I led the fight to build more prisons.

I was "tough on crime" to make our communities safer.

But then I witnessed reality—inside prison walls.

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To read Pat Nolan's full article in Sunday's Op-Ed section of the Sacramento Bee, click here.