On the heels of Proposition 47 came Proposition 57 on the 2016 ballot. This proposition was known as the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016. Proposition 57 was enacted to cut down on the California's prison population. Unlike 47, 57 did not reclassify crimes from felony to misdemeanor. It gives nonviolent felons a chance to parole earlier than they would have under existing laws. Proposition 57 gives inmates the opportunity to earn an earlier release and parole. The idea behind 57 is to encourage the incarcerated to earn credits by obtaining an education, acquiring job skills, and being on their best behavior. These credits will go towards early release. Like Proposition 47, prisoners up for early release under 57 would have their cases reviewed and they would be screened for their risk to public safety. Proposition 57 was enacted to further reduce overcrowding and to avoid the having the federal courts to release prisoners. The state was required in 2009 to reduce the prison population. The population was not reduced enough so California was ordered again in 2011 to further reduce the prison population. This order came from the United States Supreme Court. The court said not only was the prisons over populated, but also that the overcrowding was cruel and inhumane. Governor Brown was looking for a way to …show more content…
Under Proposition 47, early releases are predicated on a specified class of crimes. The incarcerated person does not have to "do" anything to qualify for early release. Either he or she is not eligible to file a petition for early release. Eligibility depends on the nature of the crime. Under Proposition 57, the inmate has certain responsibilities in order to qualify for early parole. He must earn credits by seeking an education, acquiring job skills, and being on his best behavior. Then, and only then is he able to earn credits to go towards his