Proposition 36 is a balanced reform measure that promotes long-term public safety. The Proposition amends California’s Three Strikes Law to: ~ Require that the 3rd strike be a violent or serious offense (except in certain sex, drug, and weapons possession cases) ~ Allow nonviolent 3rd strike inmates to petition the court for a resentencing hearing (unless they have a prior conviction for rape, murder, or child molestation) The reform would bring California into line with the 26 other states…
In an era of Realignment, who should be involved in determining the local jurisdictions’ implementation plans? Currently, this responsibility is maintained with the Community Corrections Partnerships (CCP) in each of California’s 58 counties. The CCP is lead by the Chief Probation Officer and includes but is not limited to the District Attorney, Public Defender, Sheriff and Chief of Police. There is one seat designated for a representative of a community-based organization serving formerly…
Blog Aug 28, 2012
San Francisco leading the way to sentencing reform
In the face of historic opposition to a statewide sentencing commission, San Francisco County established a local sentencing commission January 2012 to address the county’s sentencing policies and practices. Twenty-two states across the U.S. have established sentencing commissions to assist in the development and administration of a fair justice system. Policy makers require strong data-analysis to inform the previous and future decisions centered on sentencing policies and practices. Data…
Governor Brown has an historic opportunity sitting on his desk. For the first time four years, legislation sponsored by Senator Leland Yee (San Francisco) to eliminate the practice known as Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) has passed both Senate and Assembly floor votes. The legislation, Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) has arrived on the Governor’s desk and is awaiting his signature. SB 9 would end the policy some have called “a living death sentence” whereby youth felons are sentenced to life in…
In California, local county jail bed space is not always for the guilty. Approximately 50,000 un-sentenced individuals are confined to the state’s county jails, awaiting their time before a judge. A majority of these individuals are confined to local jails because they are not able to post bail . This contributes to the 71% state average of un-sentenced individuals in county jails. These individuals have not necessarily been deemed a flight-risk or a danger to society; they just lack the…