Arnold considers early parole for 22,000

In what may be the largest early release of inmates in United States
history, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration is proposing to
open the prison gates next year to some 22,000 low-risk offenders. Sacramento Bee.

According to details of a budget proposal made available to The Bee,
the administration will ask the Legislature to authorize the release
of certain non-serious, non-violent, non-sex offenders who have less
than 20 months to go on their terms.

The proposal would cut the prison population by 22,159 inmates and
save the cash-strapped state $256 million in the fiscal year that
begins July 1 and more than $780 million through June 30, 2010.
Besides reducing the inmate population, the proposal also calls for a
reduction in more than 4,000 prison jobs, most of which would involve
correctional officers.