non-violent offenders

Prop 47 creating, healthier and safer communities

Since it became California law nearly a year ago, Proposition 47 (Prop 47) has been a magnet for controversy, but with its much-anticipated anniversary looming, the historical piece of legislation is proving to supporters, community members and naysayers that there is a healthy future for some of the city’s most neglected residents. And it lies in prevention. Passed on November 4, 2014 with nearly 60 percent of the vote, the main objective of Prop 47 was to reclassify some non-violent felonies to misdemeanors. This included crimes such as shoplifting goods less than $950, forgery and check fraud for less than

Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act a Significant Step Forward

On Thursday October 1, a bipartisan group of Senators unveiled The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act. The bill would lower costs in the federal prison system and reform sentencing for non-violent offenders. Among the package of reforms, the bill reduces certain mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders and gives judges increased discretion by expanding “safety valve” laws. Such efforts could potentially divert low-level offenders away from harsher punishments intended for the leaders and organizers of criminal conspiracies. One immediate change that could benefit over 6,000 federal inmates is that the bill makes the 2010 FAIR Act retroactive, which means that