Signaling a welcome break from the rigid policies of former California Governor Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger has granted parole to an inmate convicted of murder--heeding the recommendation of the parole board. Gray Davis was almost unilaterally intransigent in his refusal to consider parole for convicted killers.

The governor's actions may be the first steps in crafting his policy on crime and punishment. During the campaign, he said virtually nothing about the criminal justice system, disclosing only that he supported the death penalty.

A spokesperson for Schwarzenegger gave a general outline of the governor's approach to parole cases. "Gov. Schwarzenegger intends to let the Board of Prison Terms do its job,'' said Vincent Sollitto. "Only when he has a strong conviction that a clear error has been made does he intend to review the granting or denial of parole.''

Gray Davis unjustly converted almost every sentence of life with parole into life without parole--disregarding the Parole Board's recommendations.

Last year the Parole Board, hardly a conservative group, granted parole to 140 inmates. Davis vetoed all but two. "When a judge issues a sentence that includes the words "with possibility of parole," it reflects our society's belief that a small number of criminals can be rehabilitated, as well as our constitutional right to a fair and impartial hearing."