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California’s judicial system is highly punitive, and the belief that young people who commit crimes find it difficult to get back on track led to widespread easing of punishments for dozens of crimes in 2014 and 2016. passed a state ballot measure. Their measures were flawed, but their intentions were noble. The United States confines a higher percentage of people than other wealthy democracies, but there is no evidence that this makes the United States any safer than countries with different approaches.
This is why I am so disappointed that state legislators are doing so little to reduce recidivism, despite models that work elsewhere. Nearly half of convicted offenders released in 2015 face new consequences for their criminal offenses within three years. This contrasts with the 23% figure seen in Virginia in recent years. It also contrasts with the 0 percent (yes, 0 percent) figure we saw for participants in Project Rebound at California State University from 2016 to 2021. Fourteen CSU campuses, including San Diego State University and California State University San Marcos, offer students with criminal records. Provides legal services, counseling, mentorship, and assistance with employment, housing, transportation, and food security. The number of students supported each semester has more than tripled over that span, reaching an average of 460 in the 2020-21 academic year.
In a state with a population of nearly 40 million, these numbers may seem so small and largely irrelevant. But what they show is: Programs that reduce recidivism work well if they are well run and have enough resources. The bigger lesson for Gov. Gavin Newsom and Congress is clear.
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