To: The California State House and The California State Senate
RISE — Repeal Ineffective Sentencing Enhancements and reduce jail overcrowding
As a constituent, I urge your support for Senate Bill 180, the RISE (Repeal Ineffective Sentencing Enhancements) Act. It's time to repeal the consecutive three-year sentence enhancements that are now added on to a base sentence for a drug offense if the person has a previous conviction. More than 1,700 Californians, mostly young people of color, are serving long sentences of five years—even 10 years--or more in overcrowded county jails, costing taxpayers millions that could be better spent on community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.
The people of California overwhelmingly passed Proposition 57 to allow people serving time in prison for nonviolent convictions to be eligible for parole after they have completed their “base” sentence, prior to serving sentence enhancements. The proposition, however, only applies to people sentenced to state prison. It will not affect jail overcrowding or the billions that are being spent to build and staff costly new jail facilities. It only makes sense to end the expensive and ineffective sentence enhancements that apply to people serving time in California’s jails. It makes sense to spend our dollars wisely for policies that actually reduce drug use and improve public safety.
The people of California overwhelmingly passed Proposition 57 to allow people serving time in prison for nonviolent convictions to be eligible for parole after they have completed their “base” sentence, prior to serving sentence enhancements. The proposition, however, only applies to people sentenced to state prison. It will not affect jail overcrowding or the billions that are being spent to build and staff costly new jail facilities. It only makes sense to end the expensive and ineffective sentence enhancements that apply to people serving time in California’s jails. It makes sense to spend our dollars wisely for policies that actually reduce drug use and improve public safety.
Why is this important?
Please ask your legislators to support Senate Bill 180.
The RISE Act, Senate Bill 180, has been introduced into the California Legislature by Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). It is a key sentencing reform bill in the effort to shift from a failed policy of mass incarceration and jail expansion to social investments that will actually reduce drug use and support vibrant, healthy communities. SB 180 would repeal the current three-year sentence enhancements for prior drug convictions, with the exception of convictions involving a minor. The enhancements are applied consecutively – three years for every prior conviction for possession for sale. Of the 1,700 people now serving sentences longer than five years, many more than 10 years, in county jails; the leading cause is non-violent drug sale offenses.
Why is the RISE Act so important? It will:
Free up taxpayer dollars for investment in cost-effective community based programs instead of costly jail expansion.
Address the extreme sentences that are causing some people to spend 10 years or more in dangerous, overcrowded county jails.
Reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Reduce the practice of punishing people who are suffering from a substance disorder.
Senate Bill 180 is co-sponsored by American Civil Liberties Union of California; California Public Defenders Association; Californians United for a Responsible Budget; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; Drug Policy Alliance; Ella Baker Center for Human Rights; Friends Committee on Legislation of California and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.
The RISE Act, Senate Bill 180, has been introduced into the California Legislature by Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). It is a key sentencing reform bill in the effort to shift from a failed policy of mass incarceration and jail expansion to social investments that will actually reduce drug use and support vibrant, healthy communities. SB 180 would repeal the current three-year sentence enhancements for prior drug convictions, with the exception of convictions involving a minor. The enhancements are applied consecutively – three years for every prior conviction for possession for sale. Of the 1,700 people now serving sentences longer than five years, many more than 10 years, in county jails; the leading cause is non-violent drug sale offenses.
Why is the RISE Act so important? It will:
Free up taxpayer dollars for investment in cost-effective community based programs instead of costly jail expansion.
Address the extreme sentences that are causing some people to spend 10 years or more in dangerous, overcrowded county jails.
Reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Reduce the practice of punishing people who are suffering from a substance disorder.
Senate Bill 180 is co-sponsored by American Civil Liberties Union of California; California Public Defenders Association; Californians United for a Responsible Budget; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; Drug Policy Alliance; Ella Baker Center for Human Rights; Friends Committee on Legislation of California and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.