LANCASTER, Calif. -- "Proposition 57 is designed to give early release mechanisms to people who are currently serving prison sentences and are of non-violent nature.”
That’s the short answer, according to former L.A. County Deputy Sheriff Larry Wolf.
But it’s not the full answer.
"The big loophole is that in California, 667.5 of the Penal Code states that there are 23 violent crimes and anything that’s not listed as one of these violent crimes would be eligible. And that includes some doozies," said Wolf.
Rape by intoxication, gang gun crimes and attempting to explode a bomb at a hospital or school, among others are included.
Even so, Wolf, who also serves as the Criminal Justice Department Chair at the University of Antelope Valley, says there’s a reason some support the measure.
"People that work in the prison system and those that administer it at the state level, they’ve got a problem. It’s called overcrowding," he said.
Prop 57 also addresses crimes committed by minors.
“With regard to juveniles, it will allow judges to be the one to decide whether a juvenile is tried as an adult or not. And that’s huge because the game played in the adult world is much more serious in terms of penalties,” Wolf said.
Wolf notes Prop 57 presents a potential difficulty for voters.
"They’re two disparate elements, so if you like one and not the other, I’m not sure what you do, I guess you have to vote no,” he said.
If you would like more information on Proposition 57 or any of the other measures on the ballot in November, you can refer to the "Official Voter Information Guide."
Registered voters should have received one in the mail, but you can still get one by calling, 1-800-345-VOTE (8683).