Policy Brief Policy Brief: Racial Disparities in Law Enforcement Stops By Magnus Lofstrom, Joseph Hayes, Brandon Martin, Deepak Premkumar Oct 13, 2021 In an effort to directly confront concerns over racial inequities in criminal justice, California passed the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) in 2015. RIPA data on law enforcement stops reveal that Black Californians have notably different experiences during stops than white Californians.
Report Racial Disparities in Law Enforcement Stops By Magnus Lofstrom, Joseph Hayes, Brandon Martin, Deepak Premkumar Oct 13, 2021 Recent debate over police reforms has centered on how law enforcement engages with people of color, prompted by continuing concerns over racial inequities in criminal justice. In our analysis of data for nearly 4 million stops, we examine how interactions—ranging from search to use of force—differ for Black and white people, while considering factors such as stop context and law enforcement agency.
blog post California Jails and COVID-19 By Heather Harris, Joseph Hayes Aug 11, 2021 The jail population statewide remains below its pre-pandemic level. Still, more than 15,000 people are housed in overcrowded jail conditions associated with virus proliferation.
blog post New Bail Ruling Could Affect Tens of Thousands of Californians By Vicki Hsieh, Heather Harris Apr 13, 2021 A recent California Supreme Court ruling forbids keeping arrestees in jail because they cannot afford to pay bail. What are the potential implications for the state’s criminal justice system?
Report California’s Future: Criminal Justice By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Jan 15, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated California’s recent efforts to reduce incarceration. Along with widespread protest after the killing of George Floyd, the pandemic has intensified discussions about policing reforms.
blog post What Lessons Can Be Learned from Project Roomkey? By Shannon McConville Dec 4, 2020 Project Roomkey has provided emergency housing to more than 22,000 people experiencing homelessness amid the pandemic. Examining its impact, including the wide variation across counties, can provide lessons for how California tackles homelessness over the long term.
blog post Rising Jail Populations Mean Rising COVID-19 Infections By Heather Harris Oct 19, 2020 Populations in California’s county jails are on the rebound, which could put people in jails and in surrounding communities at increased COVID-19 risk.
blog post Pretrial Reform in California By Heather Harris, Magnus Lofstrom Aug 26, 2020 New PPIC research examines a proposed criminal justice reform that would end money bail and replace it with a new process of determining pretrial release.
Report Reforming Pretrial Justice in California By Heather Harris, Magnus Lofstrom Aug 19, 2020 This November, Californians will vote on a significant shift in pretrial processes in the state.
blog post California’s Incarcerated Population Plunges to New Low during COVID-19 By Heather Harris, Alexandria Gumbs, Joseph Hayes Aug 19, 2020 The number of people in California’s prisons and jails has declined substantially since February. Still, most state prisons remain overcrowded, and many counties have seen recent increases in jail populations.