Report on California’s Criminal Justice Reforms and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A comprehensive report released by the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code and the California Policy Lab provides an in-depth analysis of five significant resentencing laws enacted in California between 2012 and 2022. These reforms, aimed at reducing prison overcrowding and providing second chances, show a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The findings indicate that targeted reforms can successfully reduce incarceration levels without compromising public safety, thereby promoting more just and inclusive institutions.

Key Findings: Recidivism, Demographics, and Institutional Reform

The report analyzed outcomes for approximately 12,000 individuals who were resentenced, of whom 9,500 were released. A central finding was the low recidivism rate among older individuals who had served lengthy sentences. This contrasts with higher rates among those serving shorter sentences for nonviolent offenses. These outcomes provide critical data for building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions as outlined in SDG 16.

• Total Resentenced: Approximately 12,000 people.
• Total Released: Approximately 9,500 people.
• Demographic Impact: The majority of individuals released under these policies were Black and Latino, highlighting the reforms’ role in addressing systemic disparities and advancing SDG 10.
• Institutional Impact: The policies have contributed to reducing California’s prison population from a peak of 170,000 to approximately 90,000, a key step toward creating a more humane and sustainable justice system under SDG 16.

Analysis of Resentencing Policies and SDG Impact

The report details the performance of five key legislative changes, each contributing to specific development goals.

1. Changing Three Strikes (Proposition 36, 2012)

   This proposition allowed individuals serving life sentences for non-serious, non-violent third-strike offenses to petition for resentencing. The released group, of which nearly half were Black and most were over 50, demonstrated an especially low recidivism rate. This success supports SDG 16 by showing that evidence-based reforms can enhance justice and public safety simultaneously, while also contributing to SDG 10 by mitigating the disproportionate impact of the original law on minority communities.

2. Lower Penalties for Drugs and Petty Theft (Proposition 47, 2014)

   This policy allowed resentencing for certain low-level drug and theft offenses. While this group had a higher recidivism rate (57% within three years), the majority of new offenses were misdemeanors. This finding underscores the need for robust social support systems for reintegration, which aligns with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), suggesting that incarceration is not the most effective solution for low-level, non-violent crime.

3. Restricting Felony Murder Charges (2018, 2022)

   Laws narrowing the application of the felony murder rule resulted in the release of individuals who had served long sentences (14-15 years). This cohort had a “notably low” recidivism rate of 3% within one year. The reform disproportionately benefited women, who accounted for 11% of those released, advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The overall success of this reform reinforces the principles of proportional justice central to SDG 16.

4. Good Conduct Resentencing (2018)

   This policy allows the corrections department to recommend resentencing based on positive conduct. Individuals released under this mechanism showed a low recidivism rate, demonstrating that institutional pathways for rehabilitation are effective tools for promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice as targeted by SDG 16.

5. Rethinking Sentencing Enhancements (2022)

   This law allowed courts to reduce sentences for enhancements that were later repealed. The report found that Black and Latino individuals accounted for 75% of those resentenced, making this a significant measure for advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by directly addressing and correcting past sentencing practices that created racial disparities.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Sustainable Justice

The report’s data suggests that California’s resentencing reforms have been largely successful in reducing the prison population and its associated costs (approximately $130,000 per inmate per year) without a significant negative impact on public safety. The policies serve as a model for how justice systems can be reformed to be more effective, humane, and equitable. By reducing inequality, strengthening institutions, and promoting second chances, these efforts provide a clear blueprint for aligning criminal justice policy with the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article repeatedly highlights the racial and gender dimensions of California’s criminal justice reforms. It states that “Black and Latino people represented the majority of those released under the policies” and that specific laws, like the one rethinking sentencing enhancements, particularly affected these groups, with “Black and Latino people account[ing] for 75% of people who were resentenced.” Furthermore, it notes that women disproportionately benefited from felony murder reforms, accounting for “11% of people who were resentenced and released, which was a notch above the 7% they represented in total prison releases.” This focus on the outcomes for specific demographic groups directly relates to reducing inequalities within the justice system.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The core theme of the article is the reform of the criminal justice system to make it more just, effective, and humane. It discusses a series of new laws and policies aimed at “resentencing and thin[ning] out the state’s severely overcrowded prisons.” The creation of the “Committee on Revision of the Penal Code” to recommend statutory reforms and the publication of a comprehensive report to evaluate these policies are efforts to develop “effective, accountable and transparent institutions,” which is a central goal of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article connects to this target by detailing the release of thousands of incarcerated people, a significant step toward their social inclusion. The specific mention that “Black and Latino people represented the majority of those released” and that women benefited from felony murder changes shows a direct impact on the inclusion of historically marginalized groups.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices…” The article discusses reforms that directly address this target, such as the 2022 law that allowed courts to reduce sentences for enhancements that had been repealed. The finding that “Black and Latino people accounted for 75% of people who were resentenced under the law” implies that the original enhancement laws created unequal outcomes, which the new policy aims to correct.
2. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The entire article is an examination of this target in action. The five major policies described, from “Changing Three Strikes” (Proposition 36) to “Rethinking sentencing enhancements,” are legislative actions to reform the rule of law. They provide a “second chance at freedom” through resentencing, which is a mechanism to ensure greater access to justice for those already incarcerated.
   • Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The article is based on a report from the “Committee on Revision of the Penal Code and California Policy Lab,” which was published to provide a “comprehensive look yet at how those changes are playing out.” This act of data collection, analysis, and public reporting is a clear example of building accountability and transparency into the justice system. The goal of reducing the prison population from a peak of 170,000 to 90,000 is an effort to make the corrections system more effective and sustainable.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Recidivism Rates: This is a primary indicator used throughout the article to measure the success of the reforms and their impact on public safety. It is explicitly mentioned that people released under felony murder reforms had “notably low” recidivism rates (3% within a year), while those released under Prop. 47 had a higher rate (57% within three years). This directly measures the effectiveness of justice policies (Target 16.3 and 16.6).
• Number of People Resentenced and Released: The article provides concrete numbers: “approximately 12,000 people have been resentenced and 9,500 have been released.” This is a direct output indicator of the implementation of new laws providing access to justice (Target 16.3).
• Demographic Data of Beneficiaries: The article provides a demographic breakdown, stating that “Black and Latino people represented the majority of those released” and that women accounted for 11% of those released under felony murder reform. This data serves as a direct indicator for measuring progress toward reducing inequalities (Target 10.2 and 10.3).
• Reduction in Prison Population: The article states that the number of incarcerated people in California prisons is “down from a peak of about 170,000” to “about 90,000 people.” This is a key performance indicator for the effectiveness of the institutions in managing overcrowding (Target 16.6).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: calmatters.org