Despite law enforcement officials’ urgent pleas to vote No on Proposition 57, the people of California passed the initiative backed by Governor Brown. Proposition 57, The Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act, allows felons the potential for early release. Many law enforcement officials came out strongly against the Proposition stating that it would cause an unnecessary strain on already depleted resources. The early release of even nonviolent felons could result in thousands of inmates being back on the streets and increases the potential for more crime according to officials.
Gloria Mitchell, President of the California Bail Agents Association, also came out strongly against the Proposition. In a statement to the Daily Press she commented, “to release hundreds to even thousands of criminals back on the street would be a public safety nightmare.” Victims and the public-at-large could be greatly affected by the passage of this initiative.
Protecting Victim’s Rights and Marsy’s Law
Many believe that Prop 57 goes directly against Marsy’s Law, which was passed in 2008 to protect victims of violent crimes. Marsy’s Law gives victims equal rights. Many fear that enabling the early release of felons could violate victim’s rights that we fought so hard to protect.