Criminal Justice Reform in California

Problem

California had the most high profile prison crisis of any other state in 2006: Its high incarceration and recidivism rates led to an overcrowded prison population of 165,000 in a system only designed for 85,000.

Solution

Since 2009, California has passed several pieces of criminal justice reform. Such reforms include:

Removing low-level, non-violent, non-career offenders from active parole supervision;
Shifting the focus from incarcerating low-level, non-violent offenders to rehabilitating them through the probation system;
Revising the 1994 mandatory minimum law to make it so only serious and violent offenders will be subject to the three-strike law;
Reducing the penalties associated with certain low-level drug and property offenses;
Reforming several of California’s asset forfeiture laws;
Ending automatic sentence enhancements for offenders convicted of recommitting a felony for which they had already served time;
Enabling pretrial diversion programs as alternatives for imprisonment for non-violent defendants who are primary caregivers of a child under 18 years of age; and
Expanding expungement eligibility.

Results

The passing of these reforms has done a lot to help California’s criminal justice system. Since 2009, the incarceration population has fallen by more than 40,000 people. California has made headway in reforming its criminal justice system; however, it still has a long way to go to see change materialize. We look forward to seeing conservative leaders rise to the occasion and take initiative on these issues, making the reforms that this state so desperately needs.

Identification of legislation should not be considered an endorsement of support of, or opposition to, such bills.

California's 2020-21 Budget Proposals for Criminal Justice Reform can be found HERE.

Letter to California legislators on Dignity - '18

Letter for California Probation Reform

Letter Regarding California's Primary Caregiver Diversion Act