Which Way, L.A.?
Does California's Parole System Need to Be Rebuilt?
Four Oakland police officers were killed this weekend by a man who had served his sentence but violated the terms of parole. Why do so many California parolees go back to prison? We hear about a massive system in urgent need of repair. On our rebroadcast of today’s To the Point, some AIG executives have given their bonuses back, but the fires of populist anger have already been lit.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenSome AIG executives have given their bonuses back, but the fires of populist anger have already been lit. On our rebroadcast of today’s To the Point, is it greater on the right or the left? Will it paralyze Congress? Can a popular new president turn it to his advantage? Also, the killing of four Oakland police officers has focused attention on a system of parole from prison that even some state officials agree hasn’t been working for years. What’s wrong? What are prospects for change?
Banner image: Oakland police officers collect evidence at a scene where their fellow officers were shot March 21, 2009. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In this episode
2 storiesPopulism and the President
At a congressional grilling of Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, Republicans and Democrats acted out the anger they’ve been hearing from their constituents. The outrage is not yet directed at the President himself, but it’s getting through to the Obama White House. Is it greater on the right or the left?
Read the story26 minDoes California's Parole System Need to Be Rebuilt?
Lovelle Mixon was a 26-year-old former janitor who killed four Oakland policemen last Saturday afternoon. Two had pulled him over for a routine traffic stop. The others were SWAT officers who stormed an apartment where Mixon was hiding. Mixon, who also was killed by gunfire, had been on parole since November.
Read the story36 min
