Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley has announced that 76,000 California inmates are being considered for earlier release from state prison. Some of those inmates are in custody for violent crimes and/or are repeat (felony) offenders.

Dudley said her office is committed to protecting local crime victims (especially victims of violent crime), and preventing additional crimes.

To that end, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office Victim-Witness Assistance Program advocates (DA Advocates) provide crisis intervention, crime prevention services, criminal case status information, victim compensation, and court accompaniment to all local victims.

The DA Advocates are available to current and past crime victims, who are seeking information about an offender’s status and whereabouts, even long after they have been sent to state prison.

A number of California laws have changed in recent years, shortening the original state prison sentences. Often crime victims are caught unaware of modified sentences and early releases.

Anyone who has been a victim of a crime and is concerned about a state prison inmate, his or her current status, prison release date or upcoming parole hearing, DA Advocates can assist by navigating the local and state criminal justice system, and provide crime prevention information and counseling assistance as necessary.

“We continue to stand together committed to protecting and upholding crime victims’ rights as well as our public’s safety,” Dudley said.

For non-emergency victim assistance, an advocate is available 24/7 at 805-568-2400.