According to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC),
a comprehensive evaluation of their Proposition 47 grant program
suggests participants who utilized services made available by the
2014 voter-approved initiative are significantly less prone to
recidivism than those traditionally incarcerated in California.
The assessment of the second cohort of grantees, which are public
agencies that offer mental health services, substance use
disorder treatment, and/or diversion programs for
justice-involved individuals, revealed positive outcomes.
Individuals who accessed grant-funded services under Prop 47
exhibited a recidivism rate of 15.3 percent, more than twice as
low as those traditionally incarcerated by the California
Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (CDCR).
CDCR’s recidivism estimates range from 35 to 45 percent, with
overall recidivism declining. Although other published recidivism
rates for California offer a basis for comparison, it’s crucial
to acknowledge these percentages may not represent an equivalent
comparison group due to variations in criminal history and
recidivism definitions.
Local programs supported by the grant also recorded advancements
in housing and employment objectives. Among participants facing
homelessness, those who fulfilled program requirements witnessed
a 60 percent reduction in homelessness. Participants who set
employment as a goal and met program requirements saw a 50
percent decrease in unemployment, predominantly in part-time
employment.
The BSCC anticipates releasing the RFPs for the Proposition 47
grant program’s fourth round of funding by July 2024. For
additional details and information on recipients of local
funding, visit the Proposition
47 Page. For more information, please contact Colleen Curtin
at colleen.curtin@bscc.ca.gov.
