In the past three years, state prisons have been releasing an increasing number of those sentenced to life behind bars. Governor Jerry Brown has approved about 80 percent of the parole board’s recommendations for release, angering victims rights groups. What does this change mean for lifers who suddenly find themselves having to adapt to life outside prison walls? And for crime victims?
Guests:
Robert Weisberg, professor of law at Stanford and co-director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center
Christine Ward, executive director of Crime Victims Action Alliance
Tom Gorham, program director for Options Recovery Services, a Berkeley-based addiction recovery program that employs former felons
Bill Heiser, California director of the Center for Employment Opportunities, which recently got a contract with CalTrans to employ felons
David Hillary, former lifer and counselor at Options Recovery Services