Into the community: State program helps local convicts avoid time behind bars

A California law is helping some inmates avoid time behind bars.

Officials say it’s an effort to help with prison overcrowding, something the Central Coast deals with.

“I didn’t obey the law, I committed a crime of embezzlement,” said Santa Cruz County inmate Crystal Gilbert.

Gilbert was placed in jail 15 months ago for embezzling money.

“I needed to make amends, so my sole premise was to my
victim, and it was to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert talked to Lt. Fred Plageman about joining a low level offender program through AB 109. The program allows inmates to live in a home-like facility next to the jail to help with overcrowding.

“We’re always looking at ways to provide alternatives for people to be under an appropriate level of supervision but to engage in opportunities that’s going to allow them to rehabilitate themselves,” said Lt. Plageman.

Gilbert fit the criteria and is allowed to walk herself from the facility to work at Grey Bears Recycling to pay restitution.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department said every three months, at least one inmate in the program walks out for work, but doesn’t come back. If the inmate is caught, six months could be added to their sentence.

Some residents who live near the facility said they aren’t comfortable with the idea that the department trusts inmates to get around on their own.

“No I’m not comfortable at all because of the proximity being right here
and there’s a lot of nooks and crannies. My heart goes out to these people,” said Santa Cruz resident, Susie Conger.

“I feel very comfortable with the people we are taking manageable risks on and basically when you look at someone that comes into custody they may be on their worst day,” said Lt. Plageman.

Since the start of AB 109, more than 50 Santa Cruz County low risk inmates have taken part in low level offender programs. Gilbert said she’s not sure yet about her release date.

“Hopefully soon with the sheriff’s departments help,” said Gilbert.

As for now, she’s focused on the present.

“Flowers… the smell, the look of pollen flowing through the air. Certain things that you take for granted in life, walking, and just being in nature and having a divine purpose,” said Gilbert.