Los Angeles, Calif., – On February 28, 2014, Co-Chairs Assembly Member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. and Assembly Member Tom Ammiano are convening a hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on Justice Reinvestment in Los Angeles.
The purpose of the hearing is to discuss local programming practices in Southern California, which have promise towards reducing recidivism.
“It is clear that high rates of recidivism jeopardize public safety and escalate expenditures on law enforcement and criminal justice. As such, it is essential that we continue to explore how we can help inmates readjust once they leave prison and become law-abiding citizens that lead normal, productive, and happy lives,” said Jones-Sawyer.
The Select Committee will hear from law enforcement, court officials and community service providers from a number of Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange.
“We have to change our practices to stop the prison revolving door. The way we’ll do that is by looking at local programs that are doing a good job in reducing recidivism. We’ve already heard about some great programs in the Bay Area. Now I’m looking forward to finding out what innovations are in Southern California that we can spread throughout the state,” said Ammiano.
The Select Committee’s goal is to develop real data-based, long-term solutions that preserve public safety without spending excessive money on prisons.
“A range of programs inside and outside prison are necessary to prepare inmates for release and to support them in their efforts to find and retain employment which hopefully leads to self‐sufficiency,” said Jones-Sawyer.
The Select Committee Hearing will take place on Friday, February 28, 2014, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the California Science Center located at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles CA 90037, inside of the Loker Conference Room.