"California spends $9 billion—yes with a b—per year on the prison system. In the last 30 years, the state has added one UC campus, two Cal State campuses, and 22 prisons. A federal judge decided that California prison conditions violated the U.S. Constitution’s mandate against “cruel and unusual punishment.” This measure would make drug possession and small scale crimes (writing bad checks, stealing less than $950 worth) misdemeanors instead of felonies. These are crimes, but not violent offenses which should mandate a long sentence in the state prisons, as is now typically the case (criminals with a past violent crime could still be sent to state prison for these offenses). Prop 47’s approach would both create fairer and more appropriate punishment, and free up state money to use on something more productive."California locks up WAYYY too many people for WAYYY too long, in terrible conditions. That costs money and it destroys lives. We need to change our priorities. Prop 47 is good because it not only reduces too-long sentences for non-violent offenses, it ALSO directs the money saved to mental health and drug treatment programs, K-12 school truancy-prevention, and crime victims.
More info:
- Who supports Prop 47?: the "Yes" campaign leads with their law enforcement & judicial supporters. They also have support from lots of newspapers, the Democratic party, and a bunch of community organizations -- I see over a dozen I respect.
- California Budget Project's analysis, suggesting Prop 47 could lower crime rates and reduce criminal justice spending.
- Opponents are mostly from law enforcement, plus the Republican party.
- Ballotpedia link.
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