Deadly Consequences: The Unintended Impact of Sentencing Reforms on California County Jails

By: James W. Marquart and Chad R. Trulson and Matt DeLisi and Jonathan W. Caudill

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Synopsis: This book investigates the unintended and deadly consequences of criminal justice reforms through observing the effects of prison depopulation sentencing reform on county jails. This mixed-methods case study explores how California&’s sentencing reform efforts in 2011 (Assembly Bill 109) and 2014 (Proposition 47) to depopulate California state prisons impacted California county jail inmate culture and experiences. Its results demonstrate how California county jails inmate culture became more like prison inmate culture, resulting in increased inmate deaths and a deadlier county jail experience. Of particular value in this exploration are the theoretical and real-world policy implications of legislation on correctional facility administration. From a theoretical perspective, this work improves our understanding of the interconnected criminal justice system. From a policy perspective, implications cover unintended collateral consequences and mechanisms to reduce them. This volume is ideal for policy makers and researchers of criminal justice reform.