New California rules to cut prison terms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Corrections officials announced new criminal sentencing rules on Friday that are projected to trim California’s prison population by 9,500 inmates over four years.

They include steps like reducing inmates’ sentences up to six months for earning a college degree and by up to a month each year for participating in self-help programs such as alcohol- and substance-abuse support groups and counseling, anger management, life skills, victim awareness, restorative justice and parenting classes.

Virtually any inmate except those on death row or those serving life-without-parole sentences would be eligible to earn the credits and lower their sentences.

The changes in parole eligibility would take effect April 12 if they win initial approval from state regulators, with final approval possible by October after a public comment period.

Police and particularly prosecutors fought the ballot initiative, arguing that it will release dangerous offenders sometimes years earlier than called for in their sentences. It also will put convicts more quickly into county probation systems that already are stretched, they say.