From Cells to Streets: California's Troubling Prison-to-Homelessness Crisis
California releases inmates without requiring them to have housing, leading to a significant number of homeless former prisoners. Los Angeles County probation officers, already struggling with staffing and caseloads, are tasked with monitoring these individuals but face challenges in providing support and finding housing. The rise in homeless parolees has raised concerns about public safety, as being homeless increases the risk of becoming a victim of a violent offense. California's prison system has been overhauled, but the lack of a continuum of care and limited housing options for formerly incarcerated individuals contribute to the ongoing issue.