Officials share concerns over Prop. 57
In less than two weeks, California voters will decide the fate of the controversial measure, Prop 57. While supporters tout it as directed to public safety, local law enforcement say it could compromise public safety.
Prop 57, officially called the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016, would allow some felons convicted of nonviolent crimes to be let out on parole sooner, upon completion of their prison term for their primary offense; authorize the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to aware sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior or education achievements and require the department to adopt regulations to implement new credit provisions and certify they enhance public safety. It would also allow a judge, not a prosecutor, to decide whether a defendant as young as 14 years old could be tried as an adult.
“This has inherent dangers that causes us great concern,” said Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo.
On Wednesday, Flippo, Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal and at least six local police chiefs said public safety could be at risk if Prop 57 is passed.
According to a summary prepared by the Attorney General’s office, the measure does not specify which crimes are defined as nonviolent. However, authorities say the measure could lead to the early release of inmates convicted of nearly two dozen crimes listed as “serious and violent” in the California Penal Code.
“Here are the crimes that are nonviolent according to Prop 57 and therefore are eligible for reduced sentences: rape by intoxication, rape of an unconscious person, human trafficking involving sex acts with minors, drive by shootings, assault with a deadly weapon, taking a hostage, domestic violence involving trauma, supplying a firearm to a gang member, lewd acts with a child and the list goes on and on,” Bernal said.
The Attorney General’s analysis shows there are about 7,500 inmates eligible for early release. It’s believed about 10-percent are expected to walk free.
Gov. Jerry Brown is a proponent of the proposition, saying it focuses resources on keeping dangerous criminals behind bars, while rehabilitating inmates and saving millions of taxpayer dollars. The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, which represents 70 unions in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, supports Prop 57. They said just because an inmate is eligible doesn’t mean they will be released.
“They have to earn a series of credits and they still have to be up for early parole,” Jesus Valenzuela said. “If a judge or the DA deems this person is not fit to be released, then they don’t get released. So it’s not an automatic thing.”
Valenzuela sees it as a way to fix a broken system. He echoes Gov. Brown’s claims that it would stop wasteful spending at prisons.
“California spends roughly $36,000 a year to keep a person in prison, and roughly $9,000 to keep a student in school,” Valenzuela said. “Now if you look at that in an investment point of view, if you invest more in keeping kids in school, and we ensure that more kids go into higher education to get the opportunity to come back to Salinas with good paying jobs, that’s what’s going to reduce crime in our community.”
Most of the police chiefs at the news conference said property crimes have ticked up since the passage of the 2014 voter-approved Prop 47. They believe there could be another uptick in crime if Prop 57 passes. That prompted a word of warning from Flippo.
“We are here to urge the voters of Monterey County to read carefully and understand what they are being asked to approve,” Flippo said. “Do not be misled by the title.”
To learn more about Prop 57, click here.
