In Re Thompson
In Re Thompson
Opinion of the Court
In the verified petition for a writ of habeas corpus, filed in this matter, it is alleged that the petitioner is unlawfully held in custody by the warden of the state prison at San Quentin, after the expiration of the time when, with the allowance of credits earned, his term of imprisonment expired. His allegation is that he has “earned” all the credits provided for by the rules regu *178 lating the government of prisoners at the prison, and that none have been forfeited.
The petitioner’s contention is based upon an erroneous theory of the present law governing such matters. Formerly a prisoner in one of the state’s penal institutions was entitled, as of right, to certain fixed credits earned by good behavior while under restraint. By the enactment of the indeterminate sentence law, which went into effect July 27, 1917 (Stats. 1917, p. 665), the legislature did away with the plan theretofore in force by which these credits for good behavior were given. (In re Lee, 177 Cal. 690, 695, [171 Pac. 958].) Following the decision of the supreme court in the Lee case, the state board of prison directors adopted a comprehensive system under which, as we understand it, the matter of the good behavior of a prisoner, and the recognition to be given to such conduct, becomes a matter of consideration and affirmative action by the board in each particular case.
The application for the writ is denied.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In the Matter of the Application of Fleet E. Thompson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
- Cited By
- 6 cases
- Status
- Published