The Public Policy Institute of California
released a report summarizing statewide jail population
trends in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly,
the report explains that jail populations across the state have
declined—stating that between February 29 and April 11, all of
California’s counties reduced their jail populations by releasing
more people than they admitted.
However, the reductions varied across counties: some lowered
their jail populations by less than 10%, whereas others made
reductions in excess of 50%. The decreasing jail population is a
combination of deliberate early releases, a decline in
admissions, and the new $0 bail rule reducing the pretrial
population.
The report notes that December 2019 jail populations statewide
totaled 71,200. While data provided by the Board of State and
Community Corrections now shows April 2020 jail populations
statewide totaled 58,000. The report also concludes that it is
important to assess the impact of $0 bail and other emergency
measures as permanent policy shifts are considered.
