By Trend News Line 2024-05-09 01:17:30.
San Bernardino County Officials Express Outrage
City and law enforcement officials in San Bernardino County are expressing their outrage after the recent transfer of dozens of death row inmates from San Quentin State Prison to Chino. In a series of press conferences and public statements over the last two weeks, officials have called for Governor Newsom’s office and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to remove the condemned prisoners. They argue that Chino’s 83-year-old prison is not equipped to securely house the inmates and keep the neighboring community safe.
Concerns Over Housing Condemned Prisoners
Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa voiced her concerns during a press conference, stating, “To think this prison can successfully house the worst of the worst criminals in our state is wrong. This is a prison that is in dire need of repair.” Since February 26, the state has transferred 324 inmates with death sentences from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to other state prisons. This accounts for more than half of the 639 inmates with death sentences in state custody, according to the CDCR.
Proposition 66 and Transfer of Inmates
The transfers are part of the state’s attempts to comply with Proposition 66, which was approved by voters in 2016 to speed up the execution process. However, critics argue that Governor Newsom’s moratorium on the death penalty is ignoring the part of the law that requires California to follow through on death sentences. San Bernardino District Attorney Jason Anderson stated, “We should never be in a state where portions of the law are chosen and other portions of the law are discarded depending on your rhetoric and your politics.”
Chino Officials Caught Off-Guard
Chino city officials were caught off-guard when the CDCR began transferring inmates in February. police Chief Kevin Mensen expressed his concerns, stating, “These are criminals that should have never been transferred to CIM. They should have remained in San Quentin.”
Safety Concerns and Facility Deficiencies
Local leaders have pointed to safety concerns for the neighboring community, citing a 2008 report from the California Office of the Inspector General that called for $28 million in needed repairs to the facility. The history of escapes and infrastructure deficiencies at CIM has raised tangible public safety concerns for residents, according to San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman.
Enhanced Security Measures
The CDCR has assured the public that all facilities where death row inmates are being transferred include a “secure and fortified perimeter” with a lethal electrified fence. Chino has undergone repairs and upgrades, including improvements to its electrical systems and security lighting. All death row inmates are identified as “close custody,” meaning they are under direct supervision during work and programming activities.
Outreach to Governor’s Office
The transfers have prompted city officials to reach out to the governor’s office, the CDCR, and local legislators to request the removal of the 39 inmates from Chino. Local officials have also launched a petition on the city website, gathering 1,000 signatures so far, asking the governor to move inmates to “other appropriate facilities” until more repairs and improvements are made at the Chino prison..
– Death row inmates transfer San Quentin
– Chino city officials alarm San Quentin inmates.