How will Prop. 5 change the parole system for nonviolent offenders?
• The measure saves prison beds by requiring local sanctions, not prison, to punish minor parole violations by nonviolent offenders. Parolees and former parolees would get rehabilitation services to help them stay sober and to return as productive members of society. • Prop. 5 will follow the lead of 48 other states that have successfully reduced parole terms for the population least likely to recidivate, low-risk nonviolent offenders. Under Prop. 5, nonviolent offenders—who have already served their time behind bars and paid their debt to society—would be placed on parole for one year and could earn their way down to six months. • According to the independent and nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, Prop. 5 will safely reduce the parolee population by 22,000, affording parole officers more time to supervise serious and violent offenders while saving taxpayer dollars. Other estimates have projected parole caseload reductions of 30,000. • Prop. 5 will create a continuum of care pro
