Inmate early release program equals more work and less overtime for analysts
3:42 PM - February 16, 2010

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Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed into law changes that could result in the early release of about 6,500 low-risk felons over the next year. Prior to release, correctional case records analysts working in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) must review the records of more than 20,000 inmates to determine if they meet the new early release eligibility criteria to recalculate release dates.
“Early release of inmates is highly controversial,” said Karen DeVoll, an analyst at the Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown. “The state can’t afford to have mistakes, and can’t afford lawsuits if the wrong person is released … we don’t want harm to come to any individual because a high-risk felon was released in error.”

Despite a dramatic increase in the workload of the analysts, opportunities for overtime have been reduced or revoked. Additionally, CDCR has not provided sufficient training on how to interpret and apply the early release eligibility criteria.
 
“If we make an error due to poor training and an increase in workload, I’m afraid we’ll be the ones disciplined and hung out to dry,” DeVoll said.

Local 1000 is in the process of scheduling dates for a meet and confer with CDCR regarding changes in the penal code on the workload for the correctional case records analysts.
 
Local 1000 Unit 1 representatives at this table are correctional case records analysts Karen DeVoll in Jamestown, Ramona Mullins in Rancho Cordova, and Rhonda Roduner in Chowchilla. Approximately 750 correctional case records analysts are in Bargaining Unit 1.