Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced the introduction of new legislation to roll back the age requirements and increase time served criteria for California criminals to be released under the state’s elderly parole program.
“Turning 50 does not mean violent criminals no longer pose a threat to the public, but that’s how this broken system of elderly parole treats them,” said Jones. “This policy was forced through the legislature and signed by Newsom outside the normal process because they knew it was wrong and wouldn’t pass muster. I’m rolling it back to make sure the worst of our criminals don’t get out of jail free just because they turn 50.”
The bill, SB 356, was previously introduced to address other issues at the Board of Parole Hearings but has now been amended to raise the minimum age of eligibility for elderly parole to 60 and the minimum time served to 25 in the wake of the Parole Board's vote to release violent, sexual predator David Funston last month under elderly parole.
“If they’re going to let monsters like this out of prison early, despite no signs of true rehabilitation and little of their lengthy sentences actually served, then we have a duty to act, and that’s what this bill does,” said Jones. "The Parole Board has proven time and again it is incapable of acting in the best interest of Californians and it’s painfully clear that the legislature needs to intervene at this point.”
Jones’ bill is currently in the Assembly Public Safety Committee where it should be heard in the next few weeks.
Senator Jones is available throughout the day for interview and comment and says he plans to introduce further legislation in the coming days to hold the Parole Board accountable for their votes.