The Public Policy Institution of California evaluated California's Criminal justice system since implementing the 2011 Public Safety Realignment. The policy has decreased statewide violent and property crime rates. However, California's rearrest and reconviction rates— and its corrections budget—remain the highest in the nation. California's recent reforms have reduced the prison population, but not the cost. After proposition 47, the prison population decreased and reclassifies some felony drugs and property offenses as misdemeanors. A remaining concern within California is the areas of racial and economic equity. In August 2018, Senate Bill 10 was signed into law to address California's bail system's racial and economic inequities. However, implementation is on hold until November 2020, pending the outcome of a voter referendum. Overall, California’s prison and parole populations have declined.

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. PPIC is dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.

READ ARTICLE

^{Keywords: California, Article, Criminal Justice System, sentencing guidelines, Public Policy Institute of California, Senate Bill 10}

• Evidence-Based Practices