Last of 20,000 Extra Beds Removed from California Prisons: Don Thompson of the Associated Press reports California prisons officials announced Friday they have removed the last of almost 20,000 extra beds that had been set up in common areas due to a lack of traditional prison cells to accommodate inmate populations. The state prison population has dropped by nearly 19,000 since realignment took effect in October.

California Bill Introduced to Send Realigned Offenders With Lengthy Sentences to Prison: Jessica E. David of Patch reports California State Senator Bill Emmerson (R-Hemet) has introduced Senate Bill 1441, which would require offenders who receive a sentence of over three years to serve their time in state prison instead of county jail. "Unfortunately, the governor and the majority party passed realignment without adequately weighing the consequences," Emmerson said. "Now our county jails are overcrowded and prisoners are being released early, putting our communities at risk."