![]() ![]() Proposition 57 is causing the prison population in California to continue getting older, which means more people are being released through this process while those who deserve to stay behind bars are doing so. The prison population is continuing to age in California after Prop 57. Since 2008, the proportion of prisoners convicted of violent acts rose from 71% to 91% in the state prison population, with 1 in 4 people serving a life sentence.ĥ. The majority of offenders in state prison are now serving terms for serious, violent, or sex-related offenses or have completed a term for one. There are also reduced sentencing guidelines in place that cut down the time that convicted individuals must spend behind bars with some non-violent crimes. This process has cut the number of inmates sent to prison for specific drug or property crimes. Many of the reforms that have passed in California since 2009, including Proposition 57, have directed many offenders from state to county supervision. There is now a greater proportion of violent offenders in state prisons. That means the judge now makes the decision instead of the prosecutor.Ĥ. This legislation changes the state law to require youths to have a hearing with a juvenile court judge to determine whether they should be transferred to adult court. When teens between the ages of 14-18 are accused of a violent felony like murder or specific sexually-related offenses, then they can be tried in adult court at the discretion of the prosecutor before Prop 57. The judges in this situation will then determine the placement and treatment for the child with the goal of rehabilitating them before they become an adult. Youths under the age of 18 who are accused of committing a crime are usually prosecuted in juvenile court. It changes how the juvenile justice system treats offenders of adult crimes. In 2011, the federal court system ordered the state to reduce their prison population to 137.5% of capacity or face the mandatory release of prisoners.ģ. Since the current sentencing system is inefficient and expensive, there could be tens of millions of dollars in savings over the next decade as all of the programs authorized by this legislation make their way through the criminal justice system. The goal of this legislation is to keep the dangerous felons behind bars while encouraging non-violent offenders to embrace rehabilitation so that they can re-enter society. Proposition 57 can help to address the critical overcrowding issues that are happening in California prisons right now. It can work to reduce prison populations over time. “We know that education in a correctional environment will drastically reduce recidivism,” he said.Ģ. The individuals who broke the law already pushed through the deterrent effect of legislation, so continuing to consequence them for their choices does not lead to a change in recidivism rates.Įric Schweitzer, an attorney interviewed by ABC 30 about Prop 57, says that enrolling in prison programs for a better chance at parole can have positive outcomes. Although some people see this benefit as “going easy” on someone who broke the law, rehabilitation has always proven to be more effective than direct punishment for actions. Proposition 57 gives prisoners more incentives to behave when they are behind bars. It works to reduce recidivism rates for inmates. Has Proposition 57 developed the expected results since its passage in 2016? Here are some of the pros and cons of this idea that we can see developing more than three years later. Then inmates could leave prison with useful tools and skills that can help them to become productive members of society. The goal of these changes was to improve inmate behavior and provide a safer prison environment for staff and prisoners. This legislation also moves up the consideration for parole when non-violent offenders serv e their primary term for offenses and demonstrated that a release to the community would not be a significant risk. This incentivizes the process by rewarding sustained good behavior, offering in-prison programs for vocational development, and activities participation. Prop 57 encourages inmates to take responsibility for their own rehabilitation by providing them with credit-earning opportunities. It also prevents federal courts from releasing inmates to local communities. The goal of this legislation is to enhance public safety by emphasizing rehabilitation within the state’s criminal justice system. Proposition 57 passed in California overwhelmingly with 64% of the total vote. ![]()
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