What is Proposition 36?

Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 by CSULB Nursing Student Editors in
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According to fixthreestrikes.org, the current Three Strikes law imposes a life sentence for any felony, including minor nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting or simple drug possession — if the defendant has two prior serious or violent felony convictions... Prop 36  will close a loophole in the Three Strikes law so that it reflects voters' original intent to put violent and dangerous criminals behind bars forever... Under Prop 36, repeat criminals will get life in prison for serious or violent third strike crimes, and double the ordinary sentence if the third strike is not serious or violent.
(Yes on 36 Three Strikes Reform, 2012)


Reference: Yes on 36, Three Strikes Reform (2012) http://www.fixthreestrikes.org/about

4 comments:

  1. Gael Sami says:
    July 31, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    Will this law cut our costs for prisons and the court systems? by how much?

  1. SEAJIN -- CSULB EDITOR says:
    August 2, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    The fiscal impact of this proposition is tremendous. The summary of Legislative Analysts' estimation shows approximately $70 million to even greater savings up to $90 million annually over the next few decades. These savings are depended upon the future state actions on this ballot. Therefore, such savings could possibly used to fund schools, prevent crimes, and ecrease the need for tax increases. By doing so, the actual dangerous criminals will be punished in jail for the rest of their lives.
    More information could be found on the website address below: http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2012/36_11_2012.aspx on What is Proposition 36?

  1. Anthony says:
    August 14, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    I believe the loophole would definitely be a vast improvement on the law already in place. Under the current law, the punishment is too harsh for nonviolent crimes that are repeat offenders. It would be great if people learned from their mistakes but that would be giving them too much credit. This Prop 36 would help these people and put actual dangerous criminals in prison.

  1. Bonnie--CSULB Editor says:
    August 15, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Anthony,
    Yes, the current law is definitely too harsh for nonviolent crimes that are repeat offenders. By reforming the three strikes law, prisons will be less crowded and our state can potentially save $70 million dollars. Thanks for the comment!