Jack Colby’s local jail time explained

monocourthouse2008Earlier, we reported that Mono County Court sentenced Jack Colby of Mammoth Lakes to three years in “local prison” after he pleaded guilty to possession for sales of cocaine. Questions have come in about what “local prison” actually means. Mono District Attorney Tim Kendall explained that 2011 legislation changed the way some individuals convicted of felonies are incarcerated.

Kendall said that the law generally known as realignment reduced the number of individuals that can be sentenced to state prison. He said the law now places that burden on counties to house their own inmates. In the case of Jack Colby, he will spend his time in the Mono County Jail in Bridgeport. However, a prison commitment will show up on Colby’s criminal record and can be used as a prison enhancement if he should commit a new crime.

The DA said the law changed primarily because of the State’s financial crisis. The shift of prisoners to county jails also shifted the costs. Kendall said California reduced the number of inmates in state lockups to comply with federal court orders to reduce overcrowding in the State’s prisons.

Bottom line, according to the DA, counties now house the majority of their own felons. He said only very serious or violent felony offenders go to state prison. Kendall said those convicted of murder, serious assaults, sex crimes and a few others head to state prison. The DA said that most drug offenders stay in local county jails.

Another issue of public questions in the Colby case – what happens to possessions that are forfeited? Colby forfeited $20,000 cash and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. DA Kendall said that first an investigation must determine if the items were purchased with drug proceeds. With a conviction, the DA’s office then proceeds to liquidate these kinds of possessions. Kendall said that vehicles and residences are sold at auction.

All money received is distributed by Health and Safety Code. 24% goes to the State General Fund. 1%, to a private nonprofit organization for ethics training of prosecutors and law enforcement. 15% goes into a special fund for funding programs designed to combat drug abuse, gang activity and for public education. 10% goes to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution of drug cases. The remaining 50% is divided up between all law enforcement agencies to supplement their drug programs and operations.

Kendall said there is a full accounting and yearly audit by the State for all of these funds.

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ferdinand lopez
ferdinand lopez
10 years ago

didnt sean penn choose bridgeport when he had to do time?

Benett Kessler
Benett Kessler
10 years ago

Yes. He did. Many years ago.
BK

Trouble
Trouble
10 years ago

Sean Penn is a class act. He cares about people. What charge was he doing time for?

Benett Kessler
Benett Kessler
10 years ago
Reply to  Trouble

It was around 1987. He assaulted a photographer in some scenario. Was married to Madonna at the time.
BK

Tourbillon
Tourbillon
10 years ago
Reply to  Benett Kessler

I believe it was only his fifth or sixth bout near the beginning of a successful amateur pugilist career in which, if memory serves, he remains undefeated to this day. A real class act. Which no doubt is why the ever elegant Madonna snagged him when she got the chance.

Desert Tortoise
Desert Tortoise
10 years ago
Reply to  Tourbillon

Ok, you ARE being sarcastic, lol. I was worried for a second.

Trouble
Trouble
10 years ago
Reply to  Tourbillon

Really, the guy has devoted himself to helping the people first in New Orleans and still is helping people in Haiti . Who cares if he beat up some journalist?

sierragrl
sierragrl
10 years ago

Thanks for following up on the confiscated assets question!

Big AL
Big AL
10 years ago
Reply to  sierragrl

Yeah Sierragrl .. you could probably pick that hawg up for cheap at the auction.

Trouble
Trouble
10 years ago

Sounds like the war on drugs is going bankrupt also.

Big Rick OBrien
Big Rick OBrien
10 years ago

Like I said earlier, a further financial drain on the county that prosecuted him. Now they get to feed, clothe, and look after his medical and dental needs for the next 3 years, PLUS, his family won’t have to go far for a visit. I hope whoever replaces Ralphie works… Read more »

Big AL
Big AL
10 years ago

I hear ya Big Rick … a drain .. but it was the MLPD that arrested him, yeah be it … it is in Mono county. But they had to arrest him right? Can’t have him out on the streets pushing meth? Wayne will back me up on this, I’m… Read more »

sierragrl
sierragrl
10 years ago
Reply to  Big AL

I don’t think the area where the old school was is very big…not to mention, its so close to the Hot Creek Hatchery residential area. I’d go with the old sub-station area, but that’s not very big either. I do agree a south county jail would be an improvement….It would… Read more »