Report Pretrial Detention and Jail Capacity in California By Sonya Tafoya Jul 22, 2015 California’s persistently overcrowded jails are facing additional challenges now that public safety realignment has shifted many lower-level offenders from state prisons to county supervision. Jail capacity challenges are prompting a reconsideration of California’s heavy reliance on holding unsentenced defendants in jail pending trial—known as pretrial detention. The legal rationale for pretrial detention is to ensure court appearances and preserve public safety. But California’s high rates of pretrial detention have not been associated with lower rates of failure to appear or lower levels of felony rearrests. This report concludes that pretrial services programs—if properly implemented and embraced by the courts, probation, and the jails—could address jail overcrowding and improve the efficiency, equitability, and transparency of pretrial release decision making.
blog post Counting Californians and Holding Elections in a Pandemic By Lori Pottinger Apr 1, 2020 For Census Day, we talked to California Secretary of State Alex Padilla about challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brings to counting Californians for Census 2020 as well as to holding elections in November.
Report Assessing the Impact of Bail on California’s Jail Population By Sonya Tafoya Jun 20, 2013 California's public safety realignment shifted many low-level felony offenders from state prisons to county jails. The resulting jail population pressures have reinvigorated the debate over bail reform. Proponents argue that reform would not only reduce the unsentenced jail population but also make the system more equitable. To help policymakers evaluate options for reform, this report examines variation in bail schedules and assesses the relationship between bail and unsentenced jail populations.
Fact Sheet California’s County Jails By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin, Andrew Skelton Jan 8, 2024 The statewide jail population is significantly lower than it was before the pandemic. The population is largely male and being held for felonies.
Fact Sheet The State-City Fiscal Relationship in California By Dean Misczynski, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Nov 18, 2011
blog post How Did the Pandemic Transform California’s Safety Net? By Caroline Danielson Mar 11, 2022 Government investments and service innovations reduced the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The impact of these approaches can inform safety net policy beyond the pandemic.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops By Magnus Lofstrom, Joseph Hayes, Brandon Martin, Deepak Premkumar Oct 10, 2022 Our findings suggest that nighttime traffic stops for non-moving violations—especially those made by local police and sheriff departments—deserve consideration for alternative enforcement strategies. However, any changes need to be balanced against the possibility of hampering efforts to confiscate dangerous contraband, especially firearms.
blog post Crime Rates Down, But Not Everywhere By Magnus Lofstrom Nov 11, 2014 Most of California’s counties saw lower crime rates in 2013, according to the latest data. Violent crime dropped in 41 out of the 58 counties, and property crime dropped in 37 counties.
