Translate

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Judges reject California plan to cut prison crowding


Three federal judges on Wednesday forcefully rejected a Schwarzenegger administration proposal to ease prison overcrowding, threatening to impose their own plan for reducing the inmate population if the state does not submit an acceptable one within three weeks.

The panel said California officials had failed to comply with their order to produce a plan to pare the number of state prisoners by 40,000 within two years. The judges agreed to postpone a decision on a request by inmates' lawyers to hold Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in contempt of court for defying the earlier order, issued Aug. 4, 2009

A Schwarzenegger spokeswoman, Rachel Arrezola, said the state would respond to the order by its Nov. 12 deadline. She said the administration is continuing to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court the judges' "arbitrary" reduction order. That appeal was filed last month.

The push to reduce overcrowding stems from the judges' ruling in a pair of inmate lawsuits. The judges said the teeming conditions of the state prison system, which contains nearly 170,000 people, is the main cause of medical and mental health care so poor that it violates the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.


See: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prisons22-2009oct22,0,1269315.story

Monday, November 9, 2009

In re Cerny - filed 11/4/09, First District, Div. 3 ( 2009 SOS 6355)

Finally another Federal case in the inmate's favor regarding the Parole Plan for release after being "branded" as a substance abuser. The crime and drug use was found to "remote" in time and could not be used against the inmate.
-----------------------------------------
SUMMARY:

Inmate’s inability to demonstrate a suitable plan for release may be the only factor that demonstrates his unsuitability for parole based on evidence of inmate’s extensive history of drug abuse and dependence. Parole board’s concern that inmate might revert to prior drug habits and thus become a danger to the public was justified. Circumstances of inmate’s commitment offense--a second-degree murder over a $60 drug deal gone bad 29 years ago while inmate was a chronic drug user--did not provide evidence that inmate’s release would unreasonably endanger the public, given close nexus between inmate’s history and drug abuse and the circumstances of his crime, the substantial amount of intervening time in which inmate has not committed any violent act or abused drugs, and defendant’s long-standing treatment for drug abuse. Inmate’s social and criminal history, which was inseparable from his history of addiction and drug abuse, were too far removed in time and behavioral attributes to constitute reliable evidence of inmate’s current dangerousness.

See: http://www.metnews.com/sos.cgi?1109%2FA122964

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Englund v. Sisto, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99629 - grant

Another win for the inmates in Federal Courts. The inmate had already served thirty years of a life sentence, nearly double the amount of time of either Biggs or Irons, when the Board denied him parole.

Thed Federal Court finds the Habeas relief is warranted and the Court GRANTS the Petition. IT IS HEREBY ORDERD that if Petitioner is incarcerated at this time, Respondent shall, within ten (10) days of this Order release Petitioner from custody.

==================================
Englund v. Sisto, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99629

Petitioner is the type of person the Ninth Circuit envisioned in Biggs and Iron whose liberty interest in parole could be at risk. Petitioner had already served thirty years of a life sentence, nearly double the amount of time of either Biggs or Irons, when the Board denied him parole. As in Biggs and Irons, the Board considered Petitioner a "model inmate." See Biggs, 334 F.3d at 912. In fact, the Board admitted on the record that the section 2402 post-conviction factors weighed in favor of paroling Petitioner. It is significant that in denying Petitioner parole for one year, the Board did not advise Petitioner of what he could do to improve his chances of being paroled at his next parole suitability hearing.

In this regard, Petitioner has done everything California law requires him to do to gain parole after thirty years. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15, § 2402. [*24] According to the Board, the only thing that prevents Petitioner from being paroled is his commitment offense; if the immutable facts of Petitioner's commitment are dispositive, it is not unreasonable to conclude that the Board will again deny Petitioner parole the next time it considers his suitability for parole. This is precisely the scenario Ninth Circuit jurisprudence has sought to avoid. See Marshall, 512 F.3d at 545; see also Sass, 461 F.3d at 1129; see also Irons, 505 F.3d at 854; see also Biggs, 334 F.3d at 917.

Because Prisoner's behavior in custody for the past twenty years has been exemplary and substantially demonstrates rehabilitation, the Shasta County Superior Court's affirmation of the Board's decision thirty years after the commitment offense to deny Petitioner parole solely because of the nature of that offense was an unreasonable application of federal law.

CONCLUSION


"The Court finds that the Board of Prison Term's October 4, 2006, conclusion that Petitioner was unsuitable for parole violated Petitioner's right to due process and that the Shasta County Superior Court's Order affirming that denial constituted an unreasonable application [*25] of clearly established federal law. Accordingly, Habeas relief is warranted and the Court GRANTS the Petition. IT IS HEREBY ORDERD that if Petitioner is incarcerated at this time, Respondent shall, within ten (10) days of this Order release Petitioner from custody.

IT IS SO ORDERED."

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

In re Phillips - Remedy when Court Orders new hearing?

The In Re Phillips is a crucial case in that it addresses multiple BPH issue for the inmates.
Specifically one of the issue it deals with - WHAT remedy an inmate will receive from the Court once he has received an OSC?

In doing HC - Prayer normally follow a 3-prong approach similar to this:
1) Grant a new Hearing with the correct legal standard ( Lawrence/Shaputis)
2) Grant a new Hearing to set a Parole Date UNLESS new evidence show unstuitability
3) Grant a Hearing to set a Parole Date and release forthwith.

Different Courts have used different remedies. Hopefully this case will shed some light and consistency. Below are the minutes of the CA Supreme Court for this case.
=========================
August Supreme Court Minutes:

S173519 B215004 Second Appellate District, Div. 4 PHILLIPS (AHMAD) ON H.C.
Petition for review granted; transferred to Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four, with directions to issue an order to show cause.

The petition for review is granted.

The matter is transferred to the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four. That court is ordered to vacate its summary denial dated May 21, 2009, and is further ordered to issue an order to show cause, returnable before the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to be ordered to show cause, when the matter is placed on calendar, why the Governor did not abuse his discretion in reversing the Board of Parole Hearings’ July 2008 determination that petitioner was suitable for parole, including his determination that petitioner lacked insight with respect to the commitment offense, and why the Board’s decision to grant parole should not be reinstated. (See In re Lawrence (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1181; In re Shaputis (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1241, 1259-1260; In re Palermo (2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 1096.) The return is to be filed on or before September 11, 2009.


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

California to Submit a Plan to Relieve overcrowding with Safety

"SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today will file a comprehensive plan with the federal three judge panel that reforms the prison system over several years and eventually could exceed the panel’s order to bring the operational capacity to 137.5 percent of combined design capacity of the state’s 33 prisons."
See http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/News/2009_Press_Releases/Sept_18.html

============================================================
HOSPITAL CONCERNS: (El Centro Hospitals & CENTINELA prison)

"With 170,000 inmates, California's prison system is the largest in the U.S. and is dangerously overcapacity by about 190%. In February, a federal court demanded that the state reduce that population by 45,000, to 130,000, after finding that the correctional system could not provide adequate medical and mental health care to such a large number of prisoners.

Although the state has appealed that ruling, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday announced a more modest plan in an effort to appease that will reduce the inmate population by 18,212, in part with transfers to other state prisons and private facilities, commuted sentences, and early release of old and sick inmates."

SEE http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/239355/topic/WS_HLM2_LED/Sicker-Older-Inmates-May-Wind-up-on-California-Hospitals-Doorsteps.html

Monday, September 21, 2009

Proposition 9 (Marsy's Law) impact on Inmates

The Impact of Proposition 9 (a.k.a. Marsy’s Law)
on Lifer Parole Suitability Hearings
Written by : Diane T. Letarte, MBA, LLM

WHAT IS Prop-9?:
On November 4, 2008, California voters were apparently swayed by emotion into passing Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act (“Act”). While the proposition’s title is admittedly appealing and evokes understandable sympathy for the silent and defenseless, the Act’s actual language raises serious constitutional questions. California Penal Code 3041.5 , The Act simplistically treats ALL lifers equally, regardless of the individual facts or any extenuating circumstances. Additionally, the focus on Life Parole Hearings belies available research and leaves the misimpression as to the proportion and danger of the “Lifers” as parolees. Nevertheless, despite grave concerns, effective November 5, 2008, California Penal Code section 3041.5 is amended, increasing the parole-denial periods to which life prisoners could be subjected

The Act is comprised of five separate parts, apparently each section written in a manner intended to evoke an emotional response to gain support:

The first main part “preyed heavily n emotions, The strong undercurrent running through this section decries California’s criminal justice system because (1) it treats victims very poorly, (2) all past reform efforts failed to improve victims’ treatment; and (3) the parole system is too easy on criminals.

The second main part, Sections 4 and 4.1.,
purports to considerably expand victim’s rights, making them enforceable by victims and their lawyers.

The third main part of Proposition 9, its Sections 5 and 5.1 to 5.3,
concerns the rights of victims in the parole process; this third part substantially alters the parole process. The primary focus on the Lifer Parole Hearing process leaves the dubious impression that this prison population constitutes the largest threat.
The fourth main part of Proposition 9, at its Section 6, the “Notice of
Victim’s Bill of Rights,” concerns notifying victims of their rights.

The fifth main part deals mainly with conflicts, retroactivity, severability and amendment clauses.

Proposition 9 was procedurally implemented by the BPH on December 15, 2008 for the Lifer Parole Suitability Hearings.

WHAT PENAL CODE SECTIONS ARE IMPACTED?:

One undisputed consequence of the Act is to substantially extend prison time for those serving indeterminate sentences. Prior to Prop 9’s enactment, defendants plea bargained accepting certain universally accepted assumptions by all those associated with the conviction process only to discover fifteen years or more on that these “rules” have substantially changed.

Under the former Penal Code section 3041.5 life prisoners who were not convicted of murder could be denied parole for 1 or 2 years, and lifer prisoners who were convicted of murder could be denied parole for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years. Under amended section 3041.5. ALL life prisoners can be denied parole 15, 10, 7, 5, or 3 years. Parole Hearing are now by default every 15-year after any hearing which a parole is denied, unless the BPH can show by “clear and convincing” evidence that the inmate does not require a more lengthy period of incarceration. If that evidence is shown, then the BPH may proceed to set the next denial in the order of 10, 7, 5, and finally 3-years based upon the same criteria.

Although numerous sections remain unchanged, there are two notable exceptions. Penal Code section 3041.5 sets forth the parole-grant hearing rights of prisoners. Penal Code section 3043 requires notice to the victim, and states other victim’s rights. These two sections are substantially amended by Prop 9. Additionally, Prop 9 adds new Section 3044 to the Penal Code, setting forth additional victim’s rights during the parole process.

LITIGATION EFFORTS:

Since the Act’s passage, serious constitutional concerns have been expressed concerning Proposition 9. At this time there are over 20 cases taken up on appeal via Writs directly from the unsuccessful Lifer Suitability Hearings. There are also three other known courts in which litigation has been filed on the early offset of Proposition 9 and they are seeking to enjoin implementation of Prop. 9’s anti-lifer provisions.

1. Rutterford/Lugo (case Amended for Prop. 9)
-Keith Whattley, esq. 220 4th St, ste 201 Oakland, CA 94607

2. Federal Defender (Eastern District) in Gilman et al. V. Schwarzenegger et al. (CIV-S-05-830 LKK GHH)
Federal Defender - Eastern District with the UC Davis Law School of Civil Rights Clinic (Section 1983)
-Monica Knox Monica_knox@fd.org

3. Taxpayers for improving Public Safety (Tips) v. Schwarzenegger et al. filed a civil lawsuit (12/2008) 34-2008-00030789-CU-JR-GDS (injunction relief).
-Steve Sanders, esq. 916-376-8738

SOME RELIEF:

On March 27, 2009, in the class action lawsuit involving LATE parole hearings (In re Rutherford, Marin County Superior Court NO Sc135399A) the BPH agreed that all the parole hearings that were due to be held prior to Proposition 9 on December 15, 2008 would now be entitled to “pre-9” hearing decision.

Voluntary waivers have not been modified by Proposition 9. In the California Code of Regulations (CCR): Title 15. Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 3, Section 2253 (15 CCR section 2253) Voluntary Waivers, Stipulations of Unsuitability, Postponements, and Continuances prisoners still have the right to Waivers. A prisoner may request to voluntarily waive his or her life parole consideration hearing for any reason. Request shall be made in writing to the Board and shall state the reason for the request. A prisoner may request to waive his or her hearing for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years. A request made no later than 45 days prior to the scheduled hearing SHALL be PRESUMED to be valid.

These timeframes are very important and needs to be analyzed by an experienced attorney in this field. This tool can be used as a long term strategy to position your client in a better light at his next full Board hearing. If s/he is denied at the full hearing than the appropriate Writ of Habeas Corpus (WHC) can be filed in a timely manner with the appropriate issues raised, for appropriate Court relief.

On August 21, 2008, the California Supreme Court published its decisions in the cases of In re Lawrence, 44 Cal. 4th 1181 and In re Shaputis, 44 Cal. 4th 1241. It provides more potential relief at the parole hearing for inmates that have been previously denied solely based on their immutable factors, one being the commitment offense.

A. In re Lawrence :

Inmates have a protected liberty interest in parole. Due process guarantees a meaningful judicial review and that the judicial standard of review for a BPH denial of parole and/or the Governor’s reversal of Parole Grant remains the “some evidence” standard of review.

Some clarification received by this case is that a denial (or reversal by the Governor) of a parole grant must be based on “an assessment of an inmate’s current dangerousness. The commitment offense ALONE can not be used to deny parole UNLESS, there is a nexus between the immutable factors and the inmate’s current dangerousness. The unsuitability factors used at a Lifer parole hearing can be reviewed under 15 CCR §2402.

From a practical point, the attorney representing the inmates at their lifer parole hearing must make sure that they properly present all the positive (suitability) factors. These include but are not limited to: programming, vocational trades acquired, self-help classes completed, positive laudatory chronos received as well as all the AA/NA meeting attended. In addition, show the lack of CDC-115 (a.k.a. rules infraction as part of institutional behavior) on the inmate’s part during his period of incarceration. All these positive aspects will be needed to outweigh any unsuitability factors in order to be deemed suitable and not be deemed a current risk of danger to society.

The California Supreme Court approved the decision of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Biggs v. Terhune (2003) 336 F.3d 910. This is a federal landmark case in the Parole process.

B. In re Shaputis:

This is the companion case to Sandra Lawrence. Richard Shaputis appears to be the “take” portion of the “give and take” offered up by the California Supreme Court in August 2008 to demonstrate that its decision in Lawrence does not “open the flood gates” of parole for lifer inmates.

In reversing the appellate court’s grant of parole to Mr. Shaputis, the Supreme Court concluded that because of a “lack of insight” into the commitment offense and a pattern of “sometimes violent behavior,” the inmate continues (currently) to be an “unreasonable risk” to public safety.

From a practical standpoint, the attorneys representing Lifers will need to closely scrutinize any and all Psychological evidence presented at the parole hearings. The BPH has their own contracted Forensic Psychologists to interview the inmates in a non-confidential setting to provide a report and recommendation as to the risk of violence in society if the inmate is release. The inmate’s psychological evaluation is now being given more weight and on many occasions is used to eviscerate the insight previously gained by the inmates (by prior positive psychological evaluations) in order to shoehorn the In re Shaputis decision to BPH’s favor, for denying parole.

==================================================
LIFER HEARING PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS (making a record):

Attorneys representing Lifers at their Parole Suitability Hearing in the near future need to create the proper record that raises potentially appealable issues or serves as a basis for bringing a Writ of Habeas Corpus. Preliminary Objections recommended at the beginning of the Parole Suitability Hearing include the objections that new Proposition 9 violates the right to Confrontation, a.k.a. the 6th amendment rights, and the inmates’ Liberty interest in Parole, and others.


SUMMARY

While sympathetic to the emotional outrage felt by victims and their friends and family by crimes committed by recidivists, Proposition 9 unfairly targeted Lifers, a population which research supports as an extremely small and arguable less dangerous segment of the potential parole population. Not only has the Act failed to address the real objective of denying parole to truly dangerous criminals, its implementation violates constitutional guarantees, arguably constituting the greater danger to a free society.

Outside of the hearing itself, fervent opposition to the confirmation of new Commissioners that do not follow the law, are bias and/or unfair at the Parole Hearings must occur. The defense bar’s disapproval of retired law enforcement personnel’s disproportionate representation on the Board of Parole Hearings should be communicated to the Senate Committee on Rules in Sacramento.

We represent inmates at their Parole Revocation or Lifer Hearings and provide WHC relief, when appropriate. We successfully have released multiple Lifer inmates via the Parole Hearing Process, En Banc Hearings (in Sacramento) and via the Court system.
We have personally met (not represented) Mr. John Dannenburg (156 Cal. App. 4th 1387) and we discussed his struggles especially over the last 7 years in court (2002-2009) as a jailhouse lawyer. He was released 6 months ago from a 15-Life, 2nd degree murder sentence, he had served over 23 years. We also briefly spoke with Mr. Hayward (currently released) who is currently pending in the Federal Courts. Both are Landmark cases in this area of post-conviction law.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Welcome 2009

Welcome to the Inmate Release Blog!

Attorneys, Paralegals, and x-inmates will post legal tips and thoughts on the current affairs in California as it relates to Lifer Parole Suitability Hearings and Appeals. Hopefully it will help you to ponder and work on your future stategy to assist the release of inmates.

We Welcome Your Comments!