Reducing California's Overcrowded Prison Population

MacDonald, Marjorie

doi:10.31979/themis.2013.0102

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…Scholars have noted a need for more empirical studies of the implementation and effects of policies intended to reduce prison populations and corrections expenditures while potentially enhancing public safety and increasing equity, including changes to mandatory and minimum sentencing policies (Lofstrom et al, 2016; MacDonald, 2013; Subramanian & Delaney, 2014). Clynch and Neubauer (1981) called for empirical research to test whether and why behavior patterns emerge within courtroom workgroups, and how workgroup behavior affects outputs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Courtroom workgroup dynamics and implementation of Three Strikes reform

Chen,

Chung,

Sands

2023

Law & Policy

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In 2012, California's voters passed a ballot initiative that scaled back the state's “Three Strikes” sentencing law and permitted certain individuals who were serving 25‐to‐life prison terms to petition for resentencing and potentially release. Using analysis of original qualitative interview data supplemented with court administrative records, this study examines how characteristics of courtroom workgroup members; their intergroup dynamics; political, professional, and administrative considerations; and allocated resources were perceived by court officials to facilitate or impede the implementation of this reform in county courts. Availability of staff and budget was associated with a higher proportion of completed case dispositions in the first 2 years of implementation, but resources were not the only factor associated with timely case processing. Courtroom actors' seniority, experience, and professional security facilitated agreement on processes, schedules, and other details. Small, stable, close‐knit groups established routine procedures and developed expertise more quickly, but could not always avoid bottlenecks or delays. Less stable workgroups had higher rates of denial of petitions for resentencing. Positions toward Proposition 36 shaped by political, professional, or other priorities were perceived to influence some elected DAs' positions and line prosecutors' behavior, manifesting in cooperation, opposition, or mixed messages.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Courtroom workgroup dynamics and implementation of Three Strikes reform

Chen,

Chung,

Sands

2023

Law & Policy

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Failed Hopes of Education

McElreath

Doss

Jensen

et al. 2018

International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology

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This article describes how, generally, the majority of inmates will recidivate again within five years of being released from incarceration. Recidivism represents cyclical criminality that affects all American communities. Despite substantial expenditures toward the warehousing of inmates within the corrections system, less emphasis is directed toward leveraging vocational and career educational programs as resources through which recidivism rates may be reduced societally. However, in 2015, the Second Chance Pell Pilot Program was announced as an experimental program whereby prisoners may access Pell funding for educational purposes. Given the advent of this experimental program, this article reviews some historical literature and recommends future directions regarding education among corrections settings.

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Reducing California's Overcrowded Prison Population

Cited by 2 publications

References 4 publications

Courtroom workgroup dynamics and implementation of Three Strikes reform

Courtroom workgroup dynamics and implementation of Three Strikes reform

Failed Hopes of Education

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