While the loss of California’s Proposition 5 was a huge disappointment to the prison reformers, the sound rejection of Proposition 6 by California voters provides some consolation. Proposition 6 represented a billion dollar raid on the state treasury by Sacramento lobbyist for the benefit of their law enforcement and prison interest group clients. Because the initiative was intended to increase the jail and prison population, the campaign was bankrolled by private prison companies, bail bondsmen, and sheriff’s associations. One particularly notorious donor was billionaire Henry Nicholas, who is currently under indictment for securities fraud, drug trafficking, and prostitution.
The self serving nature of Proposition 6 was so transparent that it was roundly denounced by every major editorial board in the state. Election results proved that the public was not fooled this time, as it was soundly beaten in every county in the state.