State Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), former Chairman of the California Board of Prison Terms, issued the following statement today regarding the passage of Senate Bill 105, the prison legislation to comply with the federal court order to release 10,000 inmates:

"This is a balanced first step. But it is not a long-term solution.

"We still have an unprecedented crime wave that has been unleashed by the prison realignment law (Assembly Bill 109). Under prison realignment, 40,000 prisoners have been released or diverted from prisons and face little consequence for continuing their criminal behavior. This problem has not been addressed.

"I'm glad that Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) insisted that rehabilitation be a part of the state's bi-partisan effort to prevent the early release of 10,000 prisoners, coupled with additional inmate housing.

"I continue to call for a special session to correct the errors and deficiencies of AB 109 to protect the safety of our citizens and ensure justice."

Senate Bill 105 passed the state Senate by a vote of 35 to 2. The measure now heads to the Governor's desk for his consideration.