Memo: California Voters Support Releasing People from Jails and Prisons to Protect Communities from Covid-19
By Lara Bazelon Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Justice Justice Clinic and the Racial Justice Clinic, University of San Francisco School of Law
Kyle C. Barry Senior Legal Counsel, The Justice Collaborative
Executive Summary
We asked California voters if they support releasing people from California jails and prisons in response to the coronavirus threat, and found broad bipartisan support:
58 percent of Californians, including a majority of Republicans, support releasing anyone charged with an offense that does not involve a serious physical safety risk to the community.
61 percent, including 55% of Republicans, support releasing elderly incarcerated people.
56 percent support releasing people who have medical conditions that place them at higher risk, including those with asthma, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.
A majority (55%) support releasing individuals who have fewer than 12 months remaining on their sentences—a number 22 percentage points higher than those who oppose (33%).
And a majority of California voters (51%) support following practices adopted in other countries, and releasing incarcerated people as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus and to ensure compliance with public health guidance—with +15% somewhat or strongly supporting over those who oppose.
