It's been roughly one year since the implementation of California's
controversial Proposition 47, a law that sought to bolster community and
educational programs by reducing the state's prison populations.
As San Diego 6 reports, depending on who you speak to, the law has either been a determent to
our communities, or an encouraging success.
Prop 47, "The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act," was passed
in 2014 and looked to serve substance abuse issues, mental health programs,
and schools by diverting money from the state's penal system. To make
those funds available, drug possession crimes and theft crimes involving
property of a value less than $950 were downgraded to misdemeanors, hence
reducing the number of potential inmates who would need to be housed and
cared for while behind bars.
For countless residents facing property and drug charges—and those
who had already been convicted of them—Prop 47 has given them a
new lease on life. Kerry Walls has had to reveal that he was a felon on
every job application he's ever filled out for 14 years. Now, since
Prop 47, he's gained a steady job and provides for his family. "When
you have a felony, there is a stigma attached to it. It literally haunted
me," he told San Diego 6.
Uneven Results
The American Civil Liberties Union reviewed data from all 58 counties in
California and found that Prop 47 has had a mixed effect around the state.
Some of these inconsistencies largely depend on local law enforcement's
approach to the new law-- some agencies have prioritized charging misdemeanor
crimes, while others haven't. In some cases, like in San Diego, violent
crime has actually increased. Others believe that Prop 47 does not give
incentive to those with addiction to seek treatment because penalties
have become so mild.
However, the ACLU remains insistent that California is actually leading
the way in correcting our national perspective on mental health, addiction,
and how we punish nonviolent offenders. "There are too many people
in prison, for too long, for the wrong reasons and putting resources into
a failed system," said Margaret Dooley-Sammuli of the ACLU. "We
have failed people for too long, it's not good for any of us. If we
want to reduce future crime rates, we have to focus on mental health and
substance abuse."
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