Why this coverage matters
Raimondo’s role
Criminal-defense perspective on rehabilitation, parole incentives, and preparing incarcerated people for successful reentry.
Coverage highlights
- Central issue: Raimondo discussed Proposition 57, rehabilitation incentives, and why education and treatment can reduce recidivism after incarceration.
- Raimondo’s involvement: Criminal-defense perspective on rehabilitation, parole incentives, and preparing incarcerated people for successful reentry.
- Archive record: 23ABC, published March 9, 2018.
Read the archived coverage excerpt+
The California prison system could be undergoing a significant change. A federal mandate to lower prison population has led to bills like AB 109 (realignment) and Prop 47 (making some felonies into misdemeanors). Proposition 57, which is on the November ballot, is a two-part proposal designed to affect non-violent criminals as well as juveniles. Through 23ABC’s interviews with public safety officials, the juvenile angle was not met with much opposition, so it will be discussed first.
If Prop 57 were to pass, judges would be given the power to determine if a juvenile can be tried as an adult. Currently, the county’s district attorney makes that decision. Kern County District Attorney Lisa Green says she would give that power over to judges. “If that were the only piece of Prop 57, I don’t believe you would see law enforcement lining up, district attorneys lining up against the proposition,” Green said. “I actually have no issue with that.
Judges are certainly capable of making those decisions of juveniles.” As Green said, it isn’t the only part of Prop 57 up for a vote. The second focus of the proposition deals with non-violent criminals. If Prop 57 were to pass, criminals that are serving time in prison for non-violent offenses would be eligible for parole after they serve their primary sentence entirely. To give this context, here is an example: A person receives a three year sentence for burglary but he/she also was charged with enhancements (participation in a street gang, possession of a controlled substance, etc.) which raise the total sentence to seven years.
If Prop 57 were to pass, the person could be eligible for parole after serving the three years for burglary if they participate in programs and behave while incarcerated.
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Original source
23ABC
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