This op-ed by Vera's director, Michael Jacobson, recommends three steps California officials can take as they prepare to follow the Supreme Court's order to reduce the state's prison population by more than 30,000. Jacobson writes that prisons should be reserved for "only those who present a genuine threat to public safety...while those who can thrive with supervision and services in the community get the help they need."

His recommendations:

• Put in place risk assessment instruments to decide who needs to be held and who can be supervised safely in the community.
• Invest in a network of community-based services that can serve those released under supervision, including formerly incarcerated people.
• Local officials should resist the understandable temptation to use the money that accompanies redirected inmates and parolees for other needed programs, including general services that are being cut.