blog post Putting the Governor’s Sentencing Proposal in Context By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Feb 3, 2016 Governor Brown’s proposed ballot measure could significantly alter sentencing in California. It follows the path of decreased reliance on incarceration that the state has been on since 2009.
blog post Proposition 47 and Crime By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Oct 28, 2015 Reports of increases in violent crime in some areas have raised concerns. But it would be premature to blame Proposition 47.
Report Public Safety Realignment: Impacts So Far By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Sep 28, 2015 Prompted by a federal court order to reduce prison overcrowding, California’s 2011 historic public safety realignment shifted many correctional responsibilities for lower-level felons from the state to counties. The reform was premised on the idea that locals can do a better job, and it was hoped that incarceration rates and corrections costs would fall. At the same time, critics predicted crime would rise. Four years since its implementation, realignment has made several important impacts: Realignment significantly reduced the prison population, but the state did not reach the court-mandated population target until after the passage of Proposition 47 in November 2014, which reduced penalties for many property and drug offenses. The reform challenged county jails and probation departments by making them responsible for a greater number of offenders with a broader range of backgrounds and needs. The county jail population did not rise nearly as much as the prison population fell, reducing the total number of people incarcerated in California. Realignment did not increase violent crime, but auto thefts rose. Research so far shows no dramatic change in recidivism rates. State corrections spending remains high, but there is reason to believe expenditures could drop in the future. Realignment has largely been successful, but the state and county correctional systems face significant challenges. The state needs to regain control of prison medical care, which is now in the hands of a federal receiver. And the state and counties together must make progress in reducing stubbornly high recidivism rates.
blog post Proposition 47 Brought Decreases to Both Prison and Jail Populations By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Sep 8, 2015 Two major criminal justice reforms—realignment and Proposition 47—have brought California’s incarcerated population down to levels not seen since the mid-1990s.
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.
Report Parcel Taxes as a Local Revenue Source in California By Jon Sonstelie Apr 15, 2015 Local government authority is growing in corrections, school funding, and other areas in California, putting pressure on localities to diversify revenue sources. As a result, the parcel tax may become an increasingly important fiscal tool in the state. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Donald Bren Foundation.
blog post Dividing California’s Higher Education Pie By Hans Johnson, Kevin Cook Jan 20, 2015 The debate over higher education funding could benefit from a clearer understanding of how the money is divided.
blog post New Era for Initiatives? By Mark Baldassare Nov 12, 2014 The drop-off in state propositions and citizens’ initiatives—which have often captured media attention and voter interest in the past—may mark the beginning of a trend with profound implications for voter engagement and state policymaking.
blog post A Closer Look at Early Jail Releases By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Sep 17, 2014 Almost three years after California’s public safety realignment took effect, county sheriffs have few options for handling jail populations that are approaching historical highs reached in 2007.
blog post Who Likes Proposition 13? By Mark Baldassare May 29, 2014 Proposition 13’s supporters are shaping our fiscal choices today—even though many were not old enough to vote when the measure passed 36 years ago.
