More than 2,000 nonviolent offenders sitting in California prisons were sent back to San Diego within the last year as part of the state's prison realignment program. The inmates were subject to probation, and the San Diego Sheriff's Department deputies conducted unannounced visits to the former inmates' homes.

The deputies and other San Diego probation officials feared these early-release inmates faced a higher risk to re-commit crimes than others on probation - concerns that were validated when deputies discovered numerous violations. Of the 75 individuals deputies visited during September, 10 were arrested for violating their probation, the Los Angeles Times reported. Some possessed weapons, others had drugs or drug paraphernalia and five were arrested on suspicion of committing new crimes, all violations of the terms of probation, the article stated.

One former inmate who was a registered sex offender was found holding a baby during one of the surprise visits from deputies, the LA Times reported. While the child was not harmed, the inmate did violate his probation.

Among the items deputies seized during the checks included 10 knives, a firearm replica, ammunition, various pills, marijuana, methamphetamine and glass pipes used to smoke the drugs, Scoop San Diego reported.

The sheriff's department focused its visits on high risk and gang affiliated probationers, the article stated.

"This operation is an example of how the Probation Department is teaming up with local law enforcement to protect public safety by focusing extra attention on the offenders in our community who need it the most," said Mack Jenkins, chief probation officer, the Scoop article stated. "...These proactive and collaborative strategies are essential in managing the serious offenders in the community under realignment."

Under the state's realignment program, which took effect October 1, 2011, California has reduced its prison population by about 27,000 inmates. However, county jail officials, state lawmakers and residents have expressed their concerns about releasing prisoners to county facilities or back into the community under probation programs.