Antonovich calls on Brown to stop transfers of dangerous inmates

Citing the pending transfer of a violent state prisoner to a county hospital on Friday, County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich called on the Governor to honor the commitments made by the state under the AB 109 realignment plan, which states that only low-level prisoners subject to parole -- and not deemed to be a mentally disordered offender -- can be assigned to county supervision."Contrary to what you committed to the Board of Supervisors, a violent and serious offender is being proposed for county supervision under AB 109," Antonovich said in the attached letter to Governor Brown. Antonovich also cited a motion unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors "authorizing county staff to use all options, including the legal system as well as legislative change, to ensure that your personal commitment to the Board, which was that the County only supervise low-level offenders, and our ability to protect public safety are not compromised." On October 20, the county's Mental Health Department learned about the forthcoming transfer of a violent state prisoner with a history of mental illness to Olive View-UCLA Medical Center on November 18. The inmate has a criminal history that includes violent felonies including arrests for rape, prisoner in possession of a weapon, assault on a peace officer, arson, assault to commit rape, sexual battery, indecent exposure and robbery.

********** Published: November 17, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 31