Convicted felons, once in state prison, then in county jail, are back out on the streets of Bakersfield because of overcrowding in our prison system. Most people know it as prison realignment.
The Sheriff's and Probation Departments have been impacted by the program which started last fall. But, realignment affects more than law enforcement. It's the reality of realignment.
State parolees are trading life behind bars for life in a homeless shelter. "The numbers are pretty remarkable. To understand how many or project who needs what, can be a very daunting task," said Jason Meek, Bakersfield Homeless Center.
The biggest task for the Bakersfield Homeless Center is determining how to house ex-cons in a shelter dedicated to families with children. "Due to the severity of some of the charges these individuals have, we've had to increase security," continued Meek.
The security staff has doubled, and each inmate must go through a background check. Sexual predators and repeat violent offenders are automatically excluded. For everyone else, it is a case by case basis.
"Who's going to be a danger to our mothers and children here? I mean they are a top priority," said Meek.
Some inmates reach out to the Bakersfield Rescue Mission after they are released from Lerdo. "With the realignment, this is a safe haven for them and a chance to change their lives," said Pedro Moreno, Rescue Mission resident.
Before realignment, the staff at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission would visit the jail once a month, bringing back four to six prisoners. That number has jumped to four to six per week.
