California DA Explains Which Policies Lead To Increased Crime | Morgan Gire

California Insider

"As an elected District Attorney, I have people from my county being released from prison early and I don't know why."

Siyamak sits down with Morgan Gire, District Attorney of Placer County, who has over 24 years of experience working in the criminal justice system. He'll discuss recent criminal justice reforms in California and share his opinion on how they've contributed to rising crime in California.

"There was probably a turning point in your mind when it didn't feel as safe in California as it had before. We saw that with Prop. 47. Prosecutors said, 'When you pass this, in about 10 years we're gonna see businesses closing because people are going to be stealing right and left, and you're gonna see addicts on the street.' And people said, 'Oh, you're just these draconian prosecutors trying to scare everybody so that you can lock more people up in prison,' and nothing could be further from the truth," Mr. Gire said.

Join us as we dive into the impacts of voter-passed Propositions 47 and 57. Realignment shifted responsibility for lower-level felons from state prisons to county jails. While this was intended to reduce overcrowding, Mr. Gire notes county facilities were ill-equipped for long-term inmates. This exacerbated caseloads for probation officers, who are now supervising more serious, repeat offenders.

Prop. 47 reclassified certain drug and property crimes as misdemeanors. However, the Placer County DA argues this "one-size-fits-all" policy treats first-time and repeat thieves equally, reducing consequences. With fewer facing jail time, some business owners feel unsupported by law enforcement. Mr. Gire also links Prop. 47 to rising addiction and homelessness as fewer enter treatment programs.

In addition, Prop. 57 aimed to shorten sentences, but without proper assessment, some inmates deemed "non-violent" may be unfit for early release, said Mr. Gire.