Silicon Valley DeBug/New America Media, Video, Jean Melesaine, Posted: Sep 14, 2011

Ed. Note: In response to a recent Supreme Court decision that found California's prison system to be so overcrowded that it violated constitutional protections, Governor Jerry Brown passed legislation mandating the transfer of near 40,000 inmates from parole to county supervision over three years. The legislation also changes sentencing schemes for certain low-level non-serious, non-violent or non-sexual registry offenses that before carried prison commitments to local commitments such as county jail or alterative sanctions such as house arrest.

By October 1st, 2011 all California counties are to have their implementation plans developed for what is being called “realignment” – their strategies to ensure returning inmates are getting services needed to not recidivate, and to reduce the number of people the county sends to prison. The following video documents recently released parolees and direct service providers describing the current challenges of getting out, and what their hopes are for the future.