California plans early release for 76,000 prison inmates -- including violent felons

With little notice, California on Saturday is increasing early release credits for 76,000 inmates, including violent and repeat felons, as it further trims the population of what once was the nation’s largest state correctional system.

That includes nearly 20,000 inmates who are serving life sentences with the possibility of parole. "You don’t have to be good to get good time credits. ... They’re in reality just a giveaway." "This is what I call Newsom’s time off for bad behavior. He’s putting us all at greater risk." More than 10,000 inmates convicted of a second serious but nonviolent offense under the state’s "three strikes" law will be eligible for release after serving half their sentences. That’s an increase from the current time-served credit of one-third of their sentence.