Budget:
Judge hears challenge to California furloughs
By Jon Ortiz, Sacramento Bee -- Lawyers representing unions and a few government agencies pounded away at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's furlough policy for nearly five hours in Alameda Superior Court on Monday. Judge Frank Roesch listened to arguments in four cases brought by unions representing more than 130,000 state workers, including correctional officers, attorneys and clerical staff. He asked questions of all sides and didn't issue a decision.
Murderabilia: Murders Profiting While in Prison
By Shannon Handy, ABC Local -- A business is growing inside California State Prisons. While these enterprises are legal, many say its wrong. These days, you can find virtually anything online. And for prices ranging from $5 dollars to $2,500 dollars, you can buy items such as artwork, signatures, and even underwear from convicted killers. It's memorabilia from murderers that has now come to be known as "murderabilia."
Institutions:
Central Valley killer back in line for death
By Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle -- The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated a Stockton man's death sentence Monday for battering a young woman to death during a 1981 burglary, dismissing an appeals court's conclusion that a competent lawyer might have persuaded the jury to spare his life. The high court's unanimous ruling may be the final judicial verdict on the sentencing of Fernando Belmontes, 48, who has spent nearly all his adult life on San Quentin State Prison's Death Row. However, all executions in California are on hold while a federal judge considers a challenge to the state's revised procedures for lethal injections.
Parole:
Monterey County day center helps parolees adjust to life after jail
By Jim Johnson, Monterey County Herald -- A new program designed to help former jail and prison inmates adjust to life on the outside is set to begin in mid-December. Marsha Parsons, assistant chief for the county Probation Department, said about $1.44 million in federal stimulus funding has been received for the program, which establishes a day reporting center that will offer counseling and job training for up to 51 probationers and parolees.
Sex Offenders:
Sex offender accused of being too close to DHS park
By Colin Atagi, Desert Sun -- A registered sex offender was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of being closer to a city park than he was legally allowed, police say. Harvey Eustis, 27, was arrested at about 11:40 p.m. at Mission Springs Park, according to Desert Hot Springs police. He was turned over to California parole officials.
CDCR Related and Miscellaneous:
Court OKs release of Swedish woman
Stockton Record -- A Swedish woman sentenced to life in prison for two murders in California - including that of a Stockton restaurateur - will be released in 2011, a Swedish court ruled Monday. The Orebro district court said Annika Ostberg Deasy, now 55, has made amends for her offense and is not expected to return to committing crimes after being freed.
Calif. fire suspect pleads not guilty to murder
KTVB -- A prison inmate has pleaded not guilty to arson and murder charges for a 2003 wildfire that destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and was linked to five heart attack deaths in Southern California. San Bernardino County prosecutors say 28-year-old Rickie Lee Fowler entered his plea Thursday in Superior Court. Fowler is already serving time in state prison for burglary. He faces five counts of murder, one count of aggravated arson and one count of arson of an inhabited structure.
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