press release Decline in Statewide Arrest Rate Driven by Lower Crime Rates and Criminal Justice Reforms Sep 9, 2019
Report New Insights into California Arrests: Trends, Disparities, and County Differences By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin, Justin Goss, Joseph Hayes Dec 3, 2018 Over the past few decades, arrests have declined dramatically—especially for misdemeanors. Though racial disparities have narrowed, the gap between African Americans and whites remains substantial. In 2016, the arrest rate for African Americans was three times the white arrest rate.
Report Corrections Realignment: One Year Later By Dean Misczynski Aug 30, 2012 In 2011, California began a vast effort to change its corrections system. Key responsibilities have shifted from the state to the counties, including the incarceration of low-level felons and supervision of released prisoners. How have these changes affected California so far? This report examines a range of issues, from capacity pressures to probation arrangements to crime rates.
blog post Historic Law Aims to Improve Police Accountability and Transparency By Deepak Premkumar, Shannon McConville Feb 25, 2022 A new California law bars police officers who commit serious misconduct from serving in any of the state’s law enforcement agencies and also aims to make data on misconduct more accessible.
Report California’s Historic Corrections Reforms By Magnus Lofstrom, Mia Bird, Brandon Martin Sep 27, 2016 California has dramatically lowered incarceration—by about 55,000 inmates since 2006—with no broad increase in crime. But recidivism rates remain high and corrections spending continues to rise.
blog post Commentary: California’s Direct Democracy in Action—State Propositions on the November Ballot By Mark Baldassare Jul 24, 2024 Californians will vote on ten state propositions this November, on issues ranging from education to climate change to the definition of marriage. How did we get here? And what's at stake for California?
blog post California’s Jail Population Has Plummeted during COVID-19 By Joseph Hayes, Heather Harris May 8, 2020 All counties have released more people from jail than they’ve admitted, but population decreases vary widely across counties.
Report Assessing the Impact of Bail on California’s Jail Population By Sonya Tafoya Jun 20, 2013 California's public safety realignment shifted many low-level felony offenders from state prisons to county jails. The resulting jail population pressures have reinvigorated the debate over bail reform. Proponents argue that reform would not only reduce the unsentenced jail population but also make the system more equitable. To help policymakers evaluate options for reform, this report examines variation in bail schedules and assesses the relationship between bail and unsentenced jail populations.
blog post Testimony: A Data-Driven Approach to Corrections By Mia Bird Apr 23, 2014 California has effectively created 58 county policy laboratories and with them, the opportunity to use variation in county approaches to identify best practices that can be shared throughout the state and nationwide.
