Proposition 57: How Will Changes Affect The State Prison System?

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — One of the most controversial propositions on the Nov. 8 ballot would impact the state prison System and some say, public safety.

Proposition 57 would increase parole chances for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes and give them more opportunities to earn credits for good behavior. It would also allow judges, not prosecutors, to decide whether to try certain juveniles as adults in court.

There is strong opposition to Prop. 57 from the Law Enforcement Community. The Sacramento County District Attorney takes exception with the use of the term "non-violent" when discussing the Proposition.

Anne Marie Schubert tells CBS13, "Honestly it's deceitful--it's not "non violent"--these are folks that anybody in the community would know what violent is--it's not just their crimes that they're in for prison for but it's also the crime they've been..had in the past."

The "Yes on 57" side issued the following statement:

"Incentivizing rehabilitation and educational milestones is a proven way to reduce recidivism and make our communities safer."

We reached out the non-partisan Legislative Analysts Office to help us boil down the debate further.

"Prop 57 would also result in offenders spending more time in the community," says LAO Analyst Drew Soderborg, "so it is possible it could increase crime--however--on the other hand--it's also possible that Prop. 57 could increase the acess that offenders have to rehabilitation programs, which could offset some or all of those crimes."

Who's pushing this proposition?

Gov. Jerry Brown has been a strong proponent along with the California Democratic Party and the Chief Probation Officers of California.

We wanted to know: How might this early release impact taxpayers?

Soderborg tells CBS13, "We think that it could create tens of millions of dollars in savings for the state. Now with respect to the counties, it's important to note the juvenile portions of the measure would likely create costs for the counties..probably in the few millions of dollars annually."

As of the beginning of this year, 25 thousand inmates in California would qualify for potential early release under this Proposition. According to a recent study done by the Associated Press, 7-thousand inmates would be eligible right away.