Lovelle Mixon's parole was supervised appropriately, state review finds
A preliminary report on the fatal shooting of four Oakland police officers found today that supervision of the alleged gunman, Lovelle Mixon, was handled appropriately by the state's parole division.
The details of the review were contained in a letter from Inspector General David R. Shaw to Matthew L. Cate, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The review of parole by the state Office of the Inspector General concluded that agents followed protocols not only in supervising Mixon but in providing job assistance and drug-testing for the 26-year-old parolee.
When Mixon missed appointments with his parole officer, the report found, he was promptly listed as a parolee at large, and the necessary authorities were contacted and officials brought in the Fugitive Apprehension Team to search for him.
The review of Mixon's parole records "showed that Oakland parole agents were diligent in their monitoring and drug-testing of Mixon, commensurate with his status as a high-control parolee," Shaw wrote.
"Based on our preliminary inquiry, it appears that [parole officials] followed department policies and procedures in their supervision of Mixon after his release from custody and in their attempts to locate and apprehend him."
The state department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was heavily criticized Monday by Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown for what he characterized as poor supervision of parolees, what he referred to as one of the "darker secrets of the whole prison industry."
But a timeline released by corrections officials earlier this week detailed many contacts between Mixon and his parole agent and efforts to track him down.
Corrections Undersecretary Scott Kernan said the inspector general's conclusions mirrored the internal review by the parole agency.
"The inspector general's conclusions confirm the results of our immediate internal review of the handling of Lovelle Mixon's parolee supervision records," Kernan said. "Our peace officers and our brothers and sisters in local law enforcement should be commended for their professionalism in light of this tragedy, and we share in the grief of the Oakland PD and their families."
Mixon was pulled over for a routine traffic stop Saturday, leading to the shootings that ultimately claimed the lives of four Oakland police officers, along with Mixon. Oakland police said earlier this week that a day before the shooting, detectives had connected Mixon's DNA to an unsolved rape case. It's unclear whether the two officers who pulled him over knew this.
-- Andrew Blankstein
Photo: Lovelle Mixon. Credit: Oakland Police Department
EDITOR'S PICKS:
The shooting of the Oakland police officers was a tragedy. However, many other states have only one year of parole or no parole at all. It is impossible to predict the future behavior of any one person. Tragedies will continue to occur on occasion. But if CDCR would focus more on providing solid rehabilitation programs, perhaps those released will be better prepared to take their place in society. Currently, CDCR focuses on Substance Abuse and Eduction, both important, but there were 4 other areas recommended by the Governor's Expert Panel which CDCR is ignoring. Nothing short of a complete overhaul will begin to fix California's ailing prison system. Included should be sentence reform, community follow-up programs and integrated re-entry programs, in addition to changing criminal thinking, anger management, marriage and family relationships and treatment for sexual offenders.
Elaina Jannell, Ph.D.
AFSCME Local 2620
Posted by: Elaina Jannell | March 25, 2009 at 06:35 PM
The Office of Inspector General is NOT an independent investigator. The OIG is the Governor's hand picked "watch dog" over his own corrections agency. Do you honestly believe the OIG would do anything other than declare CDCR "clean" in the Mixon case? Corrections Agency Secretary Matt Cate is the former IG. If THAT doesn't prove CDCR and OIG are in bed together, what does? THIS IS SIMPLY CDCR PROPAGANDA. Q.E.D.
Beyond that, how did the IG manage to complete the "investigation" so quicky? OPD's investigation isn't completed...they aren't in such a rush to judgement, I suppose.
As to the FACTS, Mixon was being supervised by appointment--His agent arranged for him to be at "home" and all home contacts were so arranged. THAT IS A FACT. AND, IT IS A FACT CDCR POLICY PROHIBITS SUPERVISION BY APPOINTMENT. CLEARLY, Mixon kept his guns where he REALLY lived...not at the "appointment" home. So, the OIG report is a LIE.
Too bad Mr. Blankenstein...in prison parlance, you've were "ducked" by CDCR. QUACK!
Google "Paco Villa's Corrections blog" for more detail and LESS CDCR propaganda.
Posted by: PacoVilla | March 26, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Ms. Jannell is right! The killing of the officers should never have happened and will blacken-the-eye of the California penal system for some time. Concerning her suggestions about the penal/parole system,well, her head is WAY up-her-ass!
Changing criminal,,,,,,,um how about BEATING it out of them?
What pray tell would an COMMUNITY FOLLOW-UP program entail?
Let ME watch these ner'do-wells.Want to give me the address of recently-released child sex offenders?PLEASE!!
It sounds like MS. Jannell wants to sell her smoke and mirrors,feel-good program to the state!Lots of luck!
Posted by: michael | March 28, 2009 at 02:47 AM