California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CDCR Practice Questions and Study Guide

California's Prop 47, also known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, significantly impacted incarceration rates by reducing certain non-violent felonies to misdemeanors. This reform aimed to alleviate overcrowding in prisons and encourage rehabilitation rather than punishment for individuals committing less serious offenses. By downgrading offenses such as drug possession and petty theft from felonies to misdemeanors, Prop 47 helped decrease the number of individuals facing incarceration for these crimes.

This shift not only aimed to reduce the burdens on the criminal justice system but also to address social justice concerns, as many of those affected were low-level offenders who often faced harsher penalties that contributed to cycles of poverty and recidivism. Consequently, the implications of this measure support rehabilitation efforts and contribute to lower incarceration rates for specific non-violent offenses, promoting a focus on preventative and supportive measures within communities.