Fifty years old is not elderly. People in their 50s are raising families. They’re running businesses. They’re running marathons and Ironmans.So it’s pretty jarring to learn that California’s “elderly parole” program defines 50 as elderly. Under this deeply flawed program, inmates 50 and older are eligible for parole after serving just 20 years of their sentence. The goal was to alleviate prison overcrowding. In practice, it can release violent offenders: rapists, killers, and child predators. Here’s a case from Sacramento County. Gregory Vogelsang, 57, was convicted of sex crimes against children as young as five. He was sentenced to prison for 355 years. His victims thought he’d be locked up for life. Last November, thanks to elderly parole, he was granted parole after serving just 27 years, as if he would be incapable of harming someone at 57. The decision received immense backlash. He remains in prison for now, and his parole will be reconsidered in a few months. | RELATED READ | Lead detective on David Funston serial child rapist case reacts to elderly parole decision As Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho pointed out, “Childhood sexual predators do not suddenly become safe because they turned 50.”Right now, at least four state lawmakers and the Sacramento County sheriff are working on reforms. These could raise the minimum age to 75 for some crimes, increase the minimum time served, and prevent some of the worst criminals from qualifying. There is an urgent need to pass these bills. | VIDEO BELOW | Sacramento County sheriff, DA speak out against California elder parole lawIf overcrowding is an issue, there are a number of other things that can be done before we let out the most violent criminals.Our community and the victims deserve more. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channelAriel Roblin is the president and general manager of KCRA 3 and My58. See more of her editorials here.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Fifty years old is not elderly.

People in their 50s are raising families. They’re running businesses. They’re running marathons and Ironmans.

So it’s pretty jarring to learn that California’s “elderly parole” program defines 50 as elderly.

Under this deeply flawed program, inmates 50 and older are eligible for parole after serving just 20 years of their sentence.

The goal was to alleviate prison overcrowding.

In practice, it can release violent offenders: rapists, killers, and child predators.

Here’s a case from Sacramento County.

Gregory Vogelsang, 57, was convicted of sex crimes against children as young as five. He was sentenced to prison for 355 years. His victims thought he’d be locked up for life. Last November, thanks to elderly parole, he was granted parole after serving just 27 years, as if he would be incapable of harming someone at 57. The decision received immense backlash. He remains in prison for now, and his parole will be reconsidered in a few months.

| RELATED READ | Lead detective on David Funston serial child rapist case reacts to elderly parole decision

As Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho pointed out, “Childhood sexual predators do not suddenly become safe because they turned 50.”

Right now, at least four state lawmakers and the Sacramento County sheriff are working on reforms. These could raise the minimum age to 75 for some crimes, increase the minimum time served, and prevent some of the worst criminals from qualifying. There is an urgent need to pass these bills.

| VIDEO BELOW | Sacramento County sheriff, DA speak out against California elder parole law

If overcrowding is an issue, there are a number of other things that can be done before we let out the most violent criminals.

Our community and the victims deserve more.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

Ariel Roblin is the president and general manager of KCRA 3 and My58. See more of her editorials here.