Blog #5

10/21/2013

In 2014 California voters decided to approve a measure to reduce lower offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. This comes after a long history of criminal justice reform in California that aims to reduce the prison population.

Respond to the questions below after reviewing the video and the ballot measure specifics.

Why is Prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?
How will this ballot measure impact your community or others?
What role do you think prisons play in promoting public safety? How does this ballot measure support our American values?

Blog Requirements
Post one original post each week along with a response to one student. Your original post should be at least 200 words, your response should be no less than 50 words.

Post your original post by midnight (11:59 p.m.) on Wednesday of each week and respond by midnight on Friday of each week (11:59 p.m.).

65 Comments

jorge ferrer

3/9/2015 12:32:24 pm

Prop 47 is helpful to California residents because much of the money that is been used for prisons and inmates can now be used for school funding’s to help our children have better school supplies and more books to take home and work on h.w assignments etc. California residents should not be scared of inmates getting out the system, even though they broke the law but those whose felonies are been reduced to misdemeanors which are petty theft, writing bad checks, receiving stolen property, or drug use are not bad people at all. I know worse people that have committed crimes who are staying locked up and staying there for a long time. I think that letting inmates out is good but the role prisons should play in keeping our communities safe is by been strict on the people they release. Probation is perfectly fine I’m not really worried about inmates getting out not all are bad.

Bolortsetseg Jargalsaikhan

3/10/2015 04:02:50 am

I must say that I think the video said the money mostly will fund the programs like mental health and drug programs for young offenders, not public schools. I don't really think it will save that much money since those saved will be toward the programs which try to prevent repetitive crimes. Also, many those who do violent crimes start with small felonies, like petty theft. Not many will decide to start with violent ones. If those who are released do repetitive felonies or escalate those crimes , it will be bad for the communities. Also, it might let some think that they can get away with the small felonies without going to jail at all.. It might increase the small felonies at same areas, I believe. (Just my opinion)

Roy Christopher

3/13/2015 03:12:52 pm

I understand where your coming from Bolortsetseg about how people are going to start thinking they can get away with the low crime felonies now. There are even people already who constantly go out and do the same crime and go back and forth with jail almost every few weeks maybe less. But at the same time I agree with Jorge that people should not be scared really, its not like are city is going to turn into Gotham. Although they should be more aware of things but not too constantly suspicious of others which will most likely happen. People might be a lot more prejudice too. Another thing is yea hopefully schools will recieve more money. Doesn't seem like much is mainly being promised to the education system honestly. We'll see how they handle the savings and come up with a budget.

Shameim lowther

4/29/2015 04:51:27 am

@ Roy Christopher

People repeat the sme crime because they are a product of their environment. They have no guidance, and it’s a way of life. An institution is there to punish you for your behavior but there is not program to help facilitate change. You come out of prison, check in, and you are back in the same environment you were taken from with the same influences and struggles. Now with a felony that tells you do not qualify for any job, you cant get financial aid for school or even a trade. You cant even qualify for health insurance or government assistance. If you have public housing you cant live with your family because they will lose their voucher. So you are back in the same predicament-no money-no nothing so you take the risk. Prop 47 gives people help to be reformed and youth opportunities to steer clear of that path.

Rayvonne Evans

4/30/2015 05:44:11 pm

The money is going to help fund mental health services and rehabilitation programs. I think that's a good ting though. We have guys coming out who have been locked up so long, on what should haven been a misdemeanor, who don't know how to assimilate into the outside world. I think that they should focus on actually rehabilitating these men so that they will stay out of prison, However I do agree with you.

Harin Yoon

3/9/2015 03:03:34 pm

1. Why is Prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?
The usage of tax money for prisons were one of the biggest issues in California and I believe this proposition will help lower the cost. Even if it is not the most significant cut on the cost, I think it is a good start. Moreover, the state will receive funding for building mental health and drug programs for young adults to keep them from going back to jail and the recovery center for the crime victims. However, I think it will bother many residents about the idea of many prisoners being released from the prison from drug possessions, petty thefts, and shoplifting. This could mean that there will be more “misdemeanors” around the neighborhood and there will not be a big solution to stopping it from happening anymore.

2. How will this ballot measure impact your community or others?
I believe this will alert more businesses around me to crime watch and secure the stores in order to prevent thefts. I also think many will take advantage of this ballot and use drugs immaturely since they know they would not have to go to prison even if they get caught with it.

3.The Prisons were intended to be a rehabilitation center for criminals and also serve as a symbol of public safety. It gives residents a sense of safety and protection against crime and criminals.

Nafi watson

3/10/2015 01:10:12 am

I agree with you on your response because I like the fact that the money would go back to the schools and give our children a better education. Even though the criminals are released from prison, they are getting a second chance to make their selves a better person due to rehab and other programs to put them back on the right track.

Huimin Huang

3/10/2015 05:15:24 pm

I agree with you. even prop 47 is helpful but it is harmful also. things can't always be perfect. prop 47 can release more money to do good toward our community but also release some bad people back to keep doing bad toward our community too. it is hard to say that is help or harm on this prop 47. but as you comment "it is a good start", i think at lease give it a try. hopefully the fund can get to use on the inmates that release by prop 47, so this prop 47 can turn out good.

Hang Nguyen

4/30/2015 09:10:47 pm

I agreed. The pro 47 gives us lots of helps as the money would be spent on more worthy section_such as education and health care, but also in the meanwhile, release a part of criminals, maybe it is a very kind way of giving them a 2nd chance to turn their life over, but maybe make them do more illegal acts.

Raynard Anderson link

3/9/2015 04:01:19 pm

well i feel that prop 47 helps the lower income families of urban communities as a whole because this prop eliminates useless increases in taxes that are plaguing the 99% and it also keeps people out of prison so that they can actually make an effort to turn their life around or not make the same mistake twice because people who make minor mistakes shouldn't be locked up for a life changing amount of time and i hate how some people say they want to repeal the law because their afraid theyll be robbed or crime might spike, so they believe that a person who might have taken a pair of pants so that he could have a cleaner pair would go and do literally the same exact thing over again even though he just got out a lucky chance law, that is the literal definition o insanity "doing something the same way over and over again expecting a different outcome" which these people arent insane their just people who made a single bad choice and people who let fear dictate their emotions and views want that one mistake to dictate this persons existance for the rest of their natural life. they might say oh well i just want them to actually serve their time and keep their felony so they learn their lesson but you know they learn nothing by getting a felony and sitting in prison because its not like their being taught trades and crime prevention in prison it has been proven that their actually more likely to come out prison worse then they came in for being in there for prolonged periods of time because of all of the negative influences of people in there for worse crimes, and then they cant even get a job when they get out of jail because companies don't hire felons so what are they really pushing for with this victim coalition because it seems to me like an out of sight out of mind campaign. Here's a metaphor that's food for thought since prison is like a larger scale idea of timeout as a kid ill use a timeout metaphor "so lets say your 5 yr old kid does something bad and your sending him on timeout now you have timeout pen full of bad kids now this timeout pen is integrated with older and younger kids and their all in same pen no matter the severity of their offense so you have your run of mill bad older kids that fight, skip school, and do drugs mixed in with your small time offender young kids that talked to much, got up out of their seat to many times, and had a tantrum. Now do you believe that your kid is going to come out better? for those of you that answered yes don't be mad when the your kid comes out worse than before because you only can go so long without your enviroment influencing you and thats what humans do best adapt so your kid comes out worse what do you do now put him back on time out in the same place that didn't work the first time or put in the effort to teach him right from wrong because he cant learn it hisself the choice is yours."

Erik Hoffmann

3/12/2015 11:46:05 am

I agree with you entirely. People think that people who steal out of necessity or do drugs to cope are looked at as permanently corrupt. People who get locked up rarely come out reformed. Prison is more like criminal school and daycare combined. A drug addict might go in and meet some people who have better hook ups on the outside and get better deals on their drugs, or a thief might go in and learn from someone whose way better at stealing, thus making them more efficient criminals. There's also the pressure to make yourself known and assert your masculinity in prison, which can change their personality and make them institutionalized.

Nafi watson

3/10/2015 01:33:26 am

1 .Why is Prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?
I think prop 47 is helpful to California residents due to putting more funding back into the schools. It also allows criminals to get released back in to the world and it sets up programs to put them back on the right path to change their lives. I like the fact that it would help women out who have been in trouble.
2. How will this ballot measure impact your community or others?
It impact people’s communities by changing our school systems and bringing our loved ones home from prison. Even though those are some good things I think some people might be scared because they think the criminals should stay in prisons, but if they stay we would be spending money on the wrong thing.
3. What role do you think prisons play in promoting public safety? How does this ballot measure support our American values?
I think they say put all the bad people in jail but once they are in jail we are going to charge you the community to put these bad people away. They sugar coat everything to make it seem like they are promoting safety but in reality they are just taking our money.

Erkhes Bat-erdene

3/10/2015 01:37:39 pm

I agree with you that prop 47 is helpful, and I love that we can use that funding on more important things. I agree that the majority of our tax dollars should not be used to keep someone behind bars because they have wronged us. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that we have to pay for the crimes of others, but I do enjoy the benefits of lower crime.

Bolortsetseg Jargalsaikhan

3/10/2015 03:56:39 am

1.Why is Prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?
Prop 47 is helpful and harmful because it can change the ones who made a mistake from going to be locked up by letting them go through the programs for young offenders like the first video said. I wouldn't really say that it's really saving money because those money that are being saved from prisons are going towards the programs, like mental health and drug problems that help them not to go back to jail or make another crime and additional those who are dropping out of schools. Also, like the woman from last video mentioned that it gives those who have hard time finding jobs, housing, etc because of their record, could have another chance to have better life. But on the other hand, it gives many who are getting out of jail another chance for repetitive crime. It might give some an idea that they can get away with small crimes, like petty theft. The people all around the country could be paranoid about tons of people being released in short amount of time as well.
2.How will this ballot measure impact your community or others?
Many all over the states might worry that these people might do crimes again since it won't put them in jail. Also, those who have someone they know in jail might have a chance to have them back in their lives. It can bring nervous/fear in some while it can bring joy in others in many communities.
3.What role do you think prisons play in promoting public safety? How does this ballot measure support our American values?
It plays a role of walls in promoting public safety. It creates these giant walls the prisoners on one side while others in other side of wall. It gives many good sleep they lack when there was someone who was trying to hurt them. It gives communities a safer environment to live in without thinking of who might hurt them/their loved ones.

Patrianna Douglas

3/10/2015 09:34:26 am

I am happy that you chose the stance of harmfull and helpful. Although I agree that it could be harmful while still helpful I am hoping that the program will be a success, at the very least we do need to try a new approach and we can not let fear get in the way of the trial and error process of change for improvement.

Tory Burleson

3/11/2015 02:03:48 pm

I agree with you on your stance that it is helpful/harmful, It might give people the idea that they can get away with some of these smaller offenses but hopefully the money will go into educating them into finding other ways to live their lives. Some people are going to be paranoid and the media will do its job and make sure that happens.

Shameim Lowther

4/29/2015 04:56:14 am

What about the corporations getting away with Federal offenses?
The only reason petty crimes are seen as major crimes because they need free workers to rebuild America (clothing stores, and american cars….) inmates are a buisness-free and there is no voice no union and no protection of labor laws. Young healthy black men-is the new slavery in america. What it gives the is the idea of a second chance at freedom.

Tonivi Truong

3/10/2015 05:18:19 am

Prop 47 is helpful because it is trying to increase the budget of education. They are trying to decrease the dropout rate of schools and allow people who have went to jail for a petty crimes who have such long jail time (according to the video, women were being the ones who want to live a new life again) Is is harmful because the public safety has a high chance of decreasing since they are labeling arrests for possesion of drugs, "petty" theft, and taken stolen property, or even writing bad checks, as misdemeanor (unless if they have a violent of sexual crime in their records). Although it is taking into account people who have done heinous crimes, many acts that may be encountered by the public are pushed off as little things when as it is as big to the person or group that it happen to. The ballot will affect the community because many states worry that the people will do the crimes again and again since it is only a misdemeanor, many think it will be good since the jail time is still there, just decreased. Also those who have someone in jail, may have the chance to see that person once again instead of in 5-10 years or anything. Since many people will be re-sentence, it'll keep the jail rate consistent in a way (not so much of a good thing but i believe it will happen) and not overfilled. The role that prison plays in promoting public safety by separating the criminals to understand what they did. It's sort of like a timeout for a period of time where they would be able to understand what they did and rethink about their lives and their position in life, since there is a belief that there is a little bit of good in everybody. It supports American values because there are constant complaints about both young kids to adults, to even seniors the many schools and students are having to pay too much or is not provided enough to receive the education they need to grow. Also it supports our values because this is the land of the free, and this allows many who have made a mistake, be allowed to fix it without a big disappearance in between their mistake and their new life.

Anqi Sun

3/10/2015 05:38:28 am

As an immigrant who live in California for almost 5 years, I personally do not agree that proposition 47 is a good way to protect the people. Like many people have recognized, many cities near Oakland are suffering from a serious problem that we cannot ignore in the past few years: increasing rate of crime. In many small cities such as San Jose or Hayward, we can always hear some news around us such as children missing, robbery on the street or even some serious murder in our community. Maybe having a ballot is one way to let every people to think whether passing proposition 47 is helpful for the communities, but I believe that for those cities who are still suffering for the high rate of crime, it may worsen the situations in these cities. Since our government is going to reduce the crime of some criminals to misdemeanor, but who is going to guarantee that those people are not going to hurt other people or the whole society again. As another part of the society, prison should play as a role of helping and reeducating and monitoring these people criminals, not just keeping them in quarters. Like many other people, they still deserve to have a second chance to rejoin the community after they had got enough penalty for what they did.

Yvette Castillo link

3/10/2015 01:18:09 pm

i agree with you Anqi Sun, "when you said who is going to guarantee that they are not going to hurt other people" because literally they went to jail because of some crime or felony they did, who knows if they will do it again when they are released. People in jail for many years have all this time to think specially when being isolated. So who really knows what goes in their head. I just think that prop 47 has its pros and cons

liang zhang

3/10/2015 02:48:00 pm

i agree with you, if goverment let them out of prison, no one can really guarantee that those people are not going to hurt oter people or the community again, but i think it worth a try. right now goverment spend too much money on the prison. if we can save some of the money from the prison, and use the money to provent people causing the crime again. i think it is worth a try a least. maybe after server years, people can change. education can change people's life. hopefully goverment can spent more money for the education, not the mental healthy.

Michael Le

3/11/2015 07:14:53 am

I completely agree with what you are saying. I do not think that putting more criminals back on the streets of Oakland, to live with other free criminals, will reduce Oakland's high crime rate. I understand that the prison population is increasing but I believe that just means that the correctional system needs to be updated.

stephanie linford

4/10/2015 11:23:13 am

I totally disagree with you thank God for prop 47 letting people out of "Animal Cages"(jail) and back into there homes were they can embrace a little bit of "freedom" and have another chance at life. Because their charge wasn't a big deal in the first place just robbery or having a lot of weed. They deserve to get out and not get anymore prison time for a nonviolent crime. REMEMBER thee people are like us young adults, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughter, sons. And just because they past this Prop 47 doesn't mean you have to single out Oakland and refer to people as getting released with other free criminals. These people are not criminals and Oakland is not the state of California. This prop was passed in California not Oakland. My city is beautiful and this prop can help rescue the state of California.

Maurice Ainsworth

3/11/2015 05:27:05 pm

I too believe that people need a second chance. My concern with those who have been, and are to be released, is the consequences they will face when probation is violated. I wonder how these individuals are being chosen? I don't trust the state to release individuals that are not likely to never go back.

Qin Chen

3/13/2015 04:05:11 pm

I agree with what you said. According Prop 47, Government will put more money in education, etc. However, do we have life to enjoy this benefit? Even though in Prop 47, it said only lower offenses will change to misdemeanors; as what you said, how to guarantee lower offenses is a big problem. I still do not like Prop 47.

Tonivi Truong

3/15/2015 02:23:02 pm

I agree with what you are saying Anqi Sun, There are already so many issues going on, and this Prop will increase it by even more. Although these crimes from prop 47 are excluding violent crimes, for starters, it is better safe than sorry, and this is I would say what would be called "letting it loose." Even though the money is going to be used beneficially, a community is as important in a students' or persons' growth, or better yet, people grow through the community. Letting people out that are already doing their time, is unfair to the people who just arrived at the jail and are now back out. There will be people happy, sad, and probably just laugh about the prop seeing as how they just soften up for the people who have done crimes.

Emerson Lovato

3/10/2015 08:02:55 am

Proposition 47 is helpful for California Residents because it would support and help low income communities across California. It would improve the school system and give more funding for other programs that would keep the youth in the right path. However, this is what they want us to believe so we can help them pass the law but nothing will really happen because all of the savings will go to rich communities and no funding will be done. This ballot will have a negative impact on my community because people are going to expect good things to happen specially with our schools but in reality it's just going to make our community worse because it will allow criminals to feel safe doing all kinds of crimes which are considered misdemeanors. Communities will see a lot more drug addicts because crimes like possession of cocaine will not be such a big deal. The youth in communities will pay the price because they'll be very disappointed when they realize nothing is being done in their schools so they'll turn to crimes to make things happen for their families since schools won't help them reach their goals. I think prisons play a big role in promoting public safety because I come from El Salvador where prisons don't really do anything to improve public safety. I feel like in the U.S. prisons actually do their job keeping violent folks away from the public because in my country criminals are treated like innocent people. The prison system in the U.S. sometimes help inmates to rehabilitate and realize that what they have done is unacceptable but in other countries spending time in prison is like going on a vacation because inmates feel like they are home. However, I do believe in giving people a 2nd chance but only when that person has earned the right to use it. This ballot supports our American values in a couple ways, it promotes support and help for people of low income and makes us believe in the idea that everyone is equal because apparently this would be done to help out minorities.

A.J. Roderos

3/10/2015 11:15:29 am

Proposition 47 has its pros and cons, helpful and harmful in some ways, making an impact on my community and others from both sides of the fence. It offers a program for young offenders to keep them from coming back to jail, provides funding to the recovery of such crime victims, and supports public schools to prevent students from dropping out. For my community, Prop 47 might potentially increase the crime rate because the proposition drops certain felonies to the misdemeanor level. This is subject to such offenders who know that they will serve less jail time with the proposition in place. On the other hand, since jail time decreases for such crimes, more funding will go to education. This means that public schools in my community will have more money to spend on books, technology, and other necessary school supplies. Based on the history of the prison system, the system has become a foundation for more of a punitive sense of justice, rather than a rehabilitative one. This is evidence based on the high rates of incarceration in the United States since the 1970’s. This ballot measure supports our American values due to the fact that it provides a solution for future crime. Although young offenders are more susceptible to such crimes, Prop 47 offers an opportunity to overcome such history and the idea of recidivism.

Luna Flores

3/12/2015 03:01:02 pm

I do agree the the crime rate may go up a bit because the petty crime could become more frequent because of the little to no jail time that people will get. To me this is the only issue that I see with the proposition for the reason that just because a person is given a second chance to be free and make a change dose not mean that they will take it. The can easily refuse the treatments and help and simply go back to their old ways.

Yvette Castillo

3/10/2015 01:09:28 pm

1. Why is prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?
Prop 47 is helpful for California residents because there is funding for mental health & drug programs to keep them from going back to jail and support students that want to drop out yet this prop 47 can help prisoners get out of prison which means this prop does not prevent crime. This is harmful because it can affect the community by giving the people right to steal from stores and carrying drugs I think this will lead to a lot of crime n violence. Prop 47 also helps women that have been in jail for minor offensive to able to change their life's for the better and move on and take care of their family.
2. How will this ballot impact your community or others?
It will impact the community in a negative and positive way. like I described in my first answer. There will be more money funded to schools and other useful programs that will help/keep students from dropping out and also keep them away from drugs and crime. It will help a lot in the education system, But it will negatively impact the community because it will be easier for prisoners to get out of jail and this means it will be easier for people to commit a felony and have no consequences to deal with. Like they can just rob a gun, steal from places, and have drug possession. What will happen when these people are back in the community? many things can happen and many people can get hurt by these people coming out of jail.
3. The ballot only supports half of an American value by serving the education system to improve and by giving the youth more resources in mentoring and helping them with the mental and drug programs. On the other side it does not serve the American value because it allows crime and violence to be acceptable our communities.

Emerson Lovato

3/12/2015 04:44:49 pm

I agree with you because the funding for all these programs would help out of people, specially the low income youth in our communities. Yet, I don't believe the money would actually be used for that or to fund schools because usually they propose something that will catch people's attention specially people who are low income. Once they get the attention and support they need to pass their propositions they act like they haven't promised anything and take most of the money to rich communities. I think this proposition will have no affect on our communities because all the funding will go to rich communities or to other programs that have nothing to do with improving our communities

Yvette Castillo

3/13/2015 10:56:15 am

In a way i also agree with Emerson, i am starting to see the sneaky side of the government which makes me angry. And yeah i have a thought that the government will do some type of thing like that by catching peoples attention and making the prop sound helpful in a way

jorge

3/13/2015 04:17:11 pm

yes i agree with emerson on this one. most of the time the government say that the money will go on certain things but in reality i do believe that the money goes to the rich like always. the government is really sneaky and yes if this offenders get out of jail it will not do harm to our community. i believe people that kill or do worse things should stay in jail but those cries that are been reduced to misdemeanors is not a big deal i have seen worse. PEOPLE DESERVE SECOND CHANCES! give em a break!

Erkhes Bat-erdene

3/10/2015 01:34:34 pm

1) Why is Prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?

I believe Proposition 47 is both helpful and harmful, though I do think the latter is far less severe. California spends an enormous amount of its tax dollars to our prison system which is saddening. Although we do save money from the release of these prisoners, most of that money will also go to the programs used to help the said prisoners get their life back on track. The issue at hand is whether these programs really will succeed and whether these released prisoners can get their life back on track. Things like drug possession and petty theft aren't really heinous crimes, and people do make absolutely stupid choices at some point in their lives, especially if you are underprivileged. Prop 47 can be harmful because these prisoners could continue with the criminal life and not reform, causing a spike in crimes, but i do not believe that this will cause a major spike in crime.

2) How will this ballot measure impact your community or others?

I do not think this will affect the communities I live in very negatively, if at all. Albeit, it is a given that certain people will be nervous and frightful of these "Criminals" being allowed to walk free and blend into society once again. On the other side, some communities (like Oakland) will be joyful because many of their family members are incarcerated for inane things and would finally be able to come home.

3)What role do you think prisons play in promoting public safety? How does this ballot measure support our American values?

Prisons are used to wall the criminals away from the innocent public. When one mentions prisons, the mental image is usually of some scary criminals who have commited nefarious acts. They act as barriers to keep the general public safe, but at the cost of the general public's wallet. This ballot helps those who have, at a dark time in their life, committed a crime get their life back on track and once again become a welcome citizen.

Fode Cheick Toure

3/11/2015 02:45:45 pm

I agree with you. Many family members would finally be able to come home. Sometimes we need to put fear aside in dealing with difficult situations. Different approaches need to taken to bring change in our communities. I know that some people are not ok about releasing prisoners, but we as human beings, we need to give a second chance to other human beings to better themselves. To help them help themselves.

liang zhang

3/10/2015 02:39:33 pm

i think for long run . prop 47 is helpful. but for now. i think it is kind harmful, because they use the money for mental health and drug problems and public schools. i dont think we can see the rresult immediately, maybe after sever years, we will see the result. for now, prop 47 can help non violence related prisoners get out prison, they may cause people nervous alittle bit, but we should be good. people make mistake, that is hunman being. i think prison is a place for people who was made "mistake" in, and give them time to educated them, training them, so they can correct themselve. america is a free land, people has rights to vote,people should deserve the second chance to live again.

Huimin Huang

3/10/2015 04:34:40 pm

I think Prop 47 is helpful and harmful to California residents at the same time. It can gives the Department of Education, the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board and the Board of State and Community Correction about $150 million to $250 million per year to help them to prevent young adults away from crimes, to prevent the young adults not to break the law. to gives them a better education system. Also can give the inmates a chance to change thier life. Some of the inmates may have a better future because of this chance. not all the inmates in prison are bad people, they may just need this one chance in thier life and they will have a good future. But at the same time the community will be affected because 10,000 inmates may get release from proson. people will be worry about his or her safety. and some of the inmates may think they can get away from prison because Prop 47 and may cause them go back to repeat their crimes again. so the prisons should be careful on picking who should be resentencing and who should not in order to prevent the rate of crime rising.
Prisons plays a role as protection of the residents in promoting public safety. it can give punishment to the criminals. keeping criminals away from the residents, also can give criminals times in prison to reflect to their own fault and hope they can change to a good person again. This ballot measure support our criminals to have a chance to be good in the society again.

Maurice Ainsworth

3/10/2015 06:28:46 pm

It seems as though anything that has to use public figures like Jay-Z to promote it, doesn't have the best interest of the community at heart. And, he is not from California.

Prop 47 says that it will provide funds for programs, but when? The proposed 250 million that it will save the taxpayer is nominal, and how will the money be utilized in the school system? If it's anything like the money from the lottery helps the schools, it will not be noticed. More affluent schools will not need the money or programs. Schools in Black and Brown communities will not notice any difference. There may be a spike in crime in some areas, however, where it happens, the community expects it, or has anticipated it.

I don't think that prisons play a role in public safety. That is the job of the police. And they are not doing very well in communities that are Black and Brown. That is unless they are becoming gentrified.

I don't have anything positive to note about values.

Michael Le

3/11/2015 07:10:12 am

1) Why is Prop 47 helpful or harmful to California residents?
Prop 47 is a controversial topic. It is helpful because it gives small time inmates a second chance at changing their lives, re-budgets California's wasteful spending on the correctional system, and focuses more on crime prevention rather than crime punishment. It is harmful because criminals may repeat crimes after being released. The fact of the matter is that these people committed crimes and are given lenient sentences whereas in Vietnam people are getting the death sentence for possessing drugs.
2) How will this ballot measure affect your community or others?
This ballot measure will make my community more scared for their safety because Prop 47 made it easier on criminals who use drugs and steal. Lenient sentencing may perpetuate more crime. Although people may argue that this ballot measure is going to give schools more funding, the truth is that the Department of Education is only going to get 25% of the leftover money.
3)What role do you think prisons play in promoting public safety? How does this ballot measure support our American value?
Prisons play a huge role in promoting public safety. Without prisons, serial killers and rapists would be free to kill and rape again.

Lin Chen

3/13/2015 03:29:59 pm

I agree with you, a coin has two sides so dose the prop 47. It is helpful because it can reduce prison spending and government waste, and money can use in right places like school. However, it is harmful also, because who is going to insure that people who are "none violence" criminal are not going to hurt other people.

Ri'Chara Glenn

3/11/2015 11:15:37 am

The ballot helps residents financially because the ballot reduces taxes paid towards prison faculties which in turn help citizens save more or use tax dollars for more resourceful things like school supplies and criminal programs. However, since misdemeanor sentences are lightweight punishments, this can leave more beds open for convicts who have committed a felony or somewhat of a higher criminal action that really needs to be in prison longer than low level inmates.

Aside from the financial aspect of prop 47, the bad thing about this proposition is that it will stimulate people’s passion for committing crimes. This can be fearsome for business owners or anyone obtaining personal items because the stakes are high and we won’t feel comfortable knowing that there’s an ex convict running loose. It doesn’t really improve public safety, crimes never sleeps its always happening wherever. You can capture as many criminals as you want but there will always be another uprising criminal ready to take the crown.

The role of prison is to enact prison laws that will separate the outside world from dangerous people. The ballot supports our values because as citizens we are entitled to protection and services that supports our needs.

LENA COLETTO

3/11/2015 12:34:22 pm

I believe that prop 47 will prove to be more helpful in the long run. The felonies that would change to misdemeanors are: petty theft, writing bad checks, receiving stolen property, and drug possession. To me, with out watching prop 47 propaganda or researching the prop, it would already be appropriate in my mind for all of those felonies to be misdemeanors. When I think of felonies and prison, I think of violent, inhumane, aggressive crimes. Yes, people should have consequences for committing crimes, but the punishment should fit the crime. Prop 47 would impact the community by not only giving people a second chance, but also by providing some support, assistance, and solutions. I don't think that this prop will solve everything; some of these people that are given a second chance will end up committing crimes again, but some of them will rise to the occasion and change the path they are on. To me the greatest thing about prop 47 is the fact that it creates resources for people who need help instead of solving the problem by locking them up, which perpetuates the problem and creates more of one. The fact that our thinking is shifting, and our problem solving is moving toward actually helping people is a huge positive change. It shows as a collective society our thought process is changing for the better, and this is very uplifting.

Lin Chen

3/11/2015 01:13:12 pm

1.Even prop 47 is helpful like putting more funding into the school, and reduce prison spending and government waste, but it is harmful also. As prop 47 mentions “Permits re-sentencing for anyone currently serving a prison sentence for any of the offenses that the initiative reduces to misdemeanors. About 10,000 inmates will be eligible for resentencing, according to Lenore Anderson of Californians for Safety and Justice” It reduces the punishment for many crimes, and some of them may realizes their mistake, but how about those people don’t realizes the problem they made. The prop 47 will make it impossible to stop many “non-serious, nonviolent crimes”, because the result of crimes is less punishment. And it hurts consumers and store owner “Professional retail thieves, commercial burglars, and identity thieves cost California consumers and businesses millions of dollars every year. Prop 47 slashes penalties for these crimes.” The “nonviolent crimes” will increase, because the prop 47 indirect support criminal.
2.Many people might worry that those people will do crimes again since they don’t need to go to the jail.And for those people don’t go to the jail might have the chance to realizes their mistake.
3.It likes a wall that separates the criminal,but it cannot reduces it.

Patrianna Douglas

3/11/2015 01:33:41 pm

I believe Prop 47 will be helpful to California residents because it will be providing new education systems that are lacking or non-existent within the state. Also, due to California’s large deficit I hope it can help alleviate some of the financial burden of other programs currently running. I do live in a more urban area and I am hoping that this measure will help with reducing more crime in the neighborhood and promote a further sense of community. Educational programs for prisoners and more community assistance once released from sentencing will help individuals with a past of crime reintegrate with society in an easier and more welcoming environment. I feel many prisoners return to a life of crime after serving jail time because they have trouble adjusting to life and the new challenges they will have before them in the process of reformation. A helping hand often goes a long way and the lack of education, intervention and general help we have now within the city is lacking. American values promote that you can start from the bottom and rise to the top, also that with repentance and reformation you can rectify past wrongs. America also has the most incarcerated citizens in the world, clearly our current system is not working as our inmate numbers keep growing, prop 47 is a fresh approach in hopefully a brighter future for the reformation of prisoners and the community through education.

Tory Burleson

3/11/2015 01:50:59 pm

There are things that are harmful about Prop 47, but I think the good out weighs the bad. I do think that the law has been too hard on the people who are committing these crimes. The money should be used on the people who are committing these petty crimes to reduce recidivism. We actually have an opportunity to rehabilitate people instead of just locking them, as if they weren't human beings. Why wouldn't we want a chance to save money and help change a person's life? I'm not sure if it will be enough money to do everything that was said in the ads, but it is a good start. I think that people who do not have a record of violent offenses should be the ones incarcerated not the people who have issues that turn to substances or the people who may not have had an opportunity to find an honest job who were at some point reduced to being a petty thief. Whatever the reason was, there is a chance to teach people how to reiterate to become an important part of their society.
People's family members and loved ones will be able to return home, yes there is going to be fear of more crimes being committed because of the people being released but that is why I think it is very important that they given the education that they need to live a different life.
I think prisons promote a false idea of public safety. People are so afraid of people who are getting released for unviolent crimes, but I think that the more time that those people would have had to spend in prison they may have come out worse then they went in.

Qin Chen

3/11/2015 02:20:22 pm

I think Prop 47 is harmful and stupid to California residents. Why do prisoners will go to jail? Because they do something that offend the law. And now, if people try to reduce their punishment because we do not have enough tax to support them, this will let people get some wrong information. First, prisoners will not think what they do is wrong, because their behavior is easy to be forgive. Second, prisoners may not like to work again, because less people to work less tax, if the tax low to one point, then their punishment will be fewer. Third, residents will feel not safe in this country, because what information they will get is if they do not have enough money, America will not protect them.
I think this ballot will let our community be nervous. The reasons are what I said above.
I think prisons are places that try to make prisoners be good again or at least let this people no more hurt others again. It is hard for me to see any American values from this stupid ballot, because it is so negative to me.
I just do not understand why we do not let prisoners to do some work to support the prisons. They go to prisons to expiation not to fun. They should support themselves by themselves.

Fode Cheick Toure

3/11/2015 02:34:47 pm

Prop 47 is helpful to California residents in a sense that they would not see their being money thrown out of the window, and their taxes increased every single year in order to support the growing prison populations. It also good the fact that many rehabilitation programs will be created to help ex- prisoners to better themselves.

I think that putting people prison for lesser crime is not a good thing to do because the prison system will only Worsen their behaviors.

This ballot measures will impact my community in a good way because some people will see their love ones coming home being again part of the community, instead of being in prison with murderers.

Other community might see this ballot measures as something that this wrong and it should not have to have to happen, because their lives would be in danger. They would not feel safe to walk in their neighborhood Thinking that someone released from the prison might hurt.

Prisons play a very important role of safeguarding criminals who are harmful to the community. But there are too many innocent people in there that are not supposed to be there in a first place.

This ballot measure supports our values because I give the opportunity to people that are incarcerated to be free, and being part of their community again. It gives them a chance to rethink of their lives and make good decisions in the future.

Dongho Kim

3/11/2015 04:09:47 pm

Prop 47 is helpful to California residents in a way that government funding spend on prisons can be lower and it can be spend on other rehabilitation programs and public schools instead. California State funding on prison systems has been a controversial issue because State spends more money funding prison system then public education. Prop 47 can be one way to solve this issue. It can also give opportunities to many people who committed light crimes and change their lives. People who were once criminals can learn through rehabilitation programs and eventually work like normal citizens.
I believe this might benefit my community in a way that state can eventually spend more funding toward public educations, but it might lead to crime rates going up. More people will risk committing thefts and do drugs since they will not be sent to jail for getting caught doing it. Every citizens will be at more risks of being targeted for light crimes.
Prisons promote public safety by barricading citizens from dangerous and violent criminals. Without prisons, people will be not only be afraid to step outside of their house, but inside their house as well. People won’t be able to protect their family and freedom.

Harin Yoon

3/12/2015 03:20:53 pm

I also wrote about how I am also fear for rising of the crime rate. Hopefully, the rehabilitation programs will improve and really help criminals or prisoners to live a better life.

Roy Christopher

3/11/2015 04:40:10 pm

Prop 47 is helpful because it gives more people a better chance to change.If there are more funded rehab and facilities, it will benefit people with these low crime charges. Instead of just giving them a charge then letting them go to do it all over again possibly. They can be given a chance to change as well, because there will be better rehabilitations for them. It will definitely help save more money, hopefully. It will reduce prison spending and hopefully the money saved will be used wisely and benefit for better school budgets. Which will definitely help small communities. There will be a lot more taxpayer funds for the Government to use on better things and in public communities. There are people being kept in just for stealing a bike and probably are held more longer than they should. They should be housing actual murderers, and using money on rehab to prevent possible upcoming murders. I don’t think someone who stole a purse out of nordstrom should be housed in a room or building in the same place with people who just murdered someone or their ex’s new boyfriend/girlfriend. It can be harmful as well. To be honest I don’t see how the this makes neighborhoods safe if you're letting people go like that, and a lot of them possibly have violent crime histories. Their choice of crime could escalate into a higher level if they don’t get help. They could all go back to their bad lifestyle and they could do it all over again. I don’t understand the prisons promoting public safety part. I don’t think it really plays a role. Anybody in public can do something at will or plan something harmful. Just cause you arrested a gang and threw them in jail doesn’t mean we are safe.

Angela Tam

3/11/2015 04:51:58 pm

Prop 47 is helpful because it will help to give some inmates serving some nonviolent/sex offender related felony charges reduced to misdemeanors. This would reduce the amount of people in jail and would then reduce the cost of having them in jail. The money is meant to go to the “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund”, estimating at about 250 million a year. The money would also fund mental health and drug programs for young offenders and would also provide recovery services to crime victims. The money is also supposed to support public school system’s students at risk of dropping out. The pro here is that this may interrupt the cradle to prison pipeline. The only harm I see is crime increase. But hopefully these individuals will not fall back into the actions that used to be felonies but are not misdemeanors. I definitely think it will impact the community for the good and bad. Crime victims will obviously feel scared and the general public is probably scared too. It sounds scary to have so many inmates released and out on the streets. But I believe in second chances and hopefully this will produce individuals who value their lives and want to change for the better. I think it will impact the community in a sense that there will be funding in place to help out youth that are struggling in school and also those youth being released from jail. It will help them with what landed them in prison in the first place. I think that it supports American values in that it helps to give a second chance to those that have committed nonviolent crimes and hopefully help them to become better individuals.

Dongho Kim

3/13/2015 04:25:43 pm

Yes I agree with your point that it is important for individuals who get out of jail to not fall back into the actions that used to be felonies but are not misdemeanors. That is why rehabilitation should be more funded from the states to help people who were once prisoners to improve their life.

Thomas Baire

3/11/2015 04:52:36 pm

Prop 47 is helpful because it reduces jail populations and creates a safer environment within prisons. Along with all that, it also goes as far as reducing crimes like petty theft, and drug possession. This is a big deal to those that have been sentenced on those terms. The ballot measure will not affect my direct community because there are not as many people who have family members in prison around my area. I think with people who have committed petty crimes and were sentenced will be relived to be out. Prisons play a major role in promoting public saftey when they are capable of running at the right capacity. When you have people sitting in prisons filled to the rim with prisinors, youre essentially saying go rot in there until your sentnece is over. Prions were made as a place where people who have commited crimes can go and get rehabillitated until they are fit to enter society again. What they have become now is a place where you go and rot waiting for your sentence to finish with little or no rehab. I think Prop 47 is a step in the right direction.

Ri'Chara Glenn

3/13/2015 05:00:17 pm

I agree that prisons should be able to rehabilitate prisionors in a way that will improve their overall well being. Though I don't think that being in prison should be a place to rot in but a more intensive disciplinary approach to curing a criminal's state of mind.

Erik Hoffmann

3/12/2015 03:15:39 am

I believe prop 47 is helpful because it frees up more space in jails and prisons for real criminals who commit crimes that actually hurt people. Drug users are more of a victim than criminals because they likely suffer from drug addiction, which is a disease and really only harmful to the individual, rather than the community. Those who commit petty theft are likely underprivileged and needed to steal to survive, so they shouldn't be punished for stealing for trying to make it by. I feel my community will be safer because there's more room available for people who are out there killing and hurting society to be locked up rather than petty thieves or drug addicts who can't help themselves. Too many people have been imprisoned for insipid reasons that point more to a problem in character rather than a serious threat to society. Prison's help promote public safety by keeping dangerous people behind walls and out of trouble. There is only so much space in a prison though, so only so many dangerous people can be contained at a time. Many prisoners are there for crimes that wouldn't be considered severe or even worthy of prison, and this ballot helps get those people out and the real criminals in, which supports the American value of freedom. Helping these people change and reintegrate into society promotes freedom and liberty for those who've broken the law, and allows them the same pursuit of happiness as other American's enjoy.

Angela Tam

3/16/2015 09:57:36 am

I like how you noted that drug users are more of a victim because they are a victim to addiction. I didn't think of it that way. I have also known people that have sold drugs to support their family or pay for college. It would be a shame to see those individuals in jail when they are simply trying to make a way and do better for their families. I definitely think that it would help to free up space in an already crowded system.

Luna Flores

3/12/2015 02:50:53 pm

The way that this prop would be helpful to would have more of an impact on those who are on the rode to committing crimes and going to prison. This will help as risk youth and try to prevent them from going to or back to that path. Having rehab for inmates who are obviously willing to change and make better decisions for themselves would be effective. I can see how many people who are victims of crime feel that this is dangerous and can get out of hand once inmates are released but if the proposition stays true as to only releasing petty offenders, meaning people who did not cause harm to others, then people should not have to worry to much. As of now the only actual harm I think this can cause is if people who are released are not willing to change and continue of a criminal path the maybe small drug usage could increase, leading to perhaps bigger crimes that escalate quickly resulting in harm.
The way that this would affect the minority communities is by interrupting the cartel to prison pipeline that is present. I see how small actions such as holding small amounts of drugs can get a person a lot of time in jail and I see it as a waste because overall they are not doing anything to harm people or the community. So instead of just looking them away the money saved will go to helping them stop or prevent drug usage that could possibly lead them to bigger crimes. This will also help communities as a whole by having law enforcement go after people who commit more offensive crimes like murderers, rapist, and those involved I violence as a whole. Prisons promote public safety by trying to now focus on keeping those who cause much more harm to the communities off of the streets. I think the way it supports our American values is by giving us the right to vote on what we feel causes harm to out community. Since it passed I feel like people them believe we have bigger issues to worry about than petty crimes.

Guadalupe Hernandez

4/5/2015 04:37:34 pm

I really like your points. I agree with the fact that you believe this ballot will help those who are serious about change, and how those who aren't could potentially cause more conflict within communities. I personally believe they all should be granted this opportunity, and if the mess up again then face worst punishment. I am concerned about the communities well being, and safety, but am also really big on second chance. I believe a lot of different elements may weigh ones decisions for who exactly deserves these second opportunities or lighter punishments. I say this viewing similar cases within different races, social classes, and wealth. So, in my belief I think it should be fair for the minority, black, Hispanic or whatever to receive the same as do all others.

Guadalupe Hernandez

4/5/2015 04:28:24 pm

Proposition 47 is helpful to California residence because it will save us money that can be directed towards mental health, the support towards drug offenders, school, and more. This would greatly help in my local community by granting freedom to those who have made mistakes in the past and were facing felony charges with a second opportunity. This grants them the opportunity to be released, and form a new like. I'm speaking from a Latina's point of view living as a minority with family locked in for too long. This ballot will help my community by releasing those who deserve a second opportunity. It will bring funds to programs and associations that are very much in need of it. It may not give a lot, but it is a start. It is a step towards a new direction. Prisons have a huge role in promoting public safety by arresting those who area threat to the public. This takes them off the streets, and gives the community safety. This ballot supports our American values by keeping its word of being a free country. even though some may make mistakes as does all, the country will offer freedom, a second opportunity. It will offer more support to those in need of them.

stephanie linford

4/10/2015 11:25:26 am

I agree with you!!! And thank God that someone else feels like this prop is GOOD. Its not releasing criminals but people back to their homes with another chance!!!!

stephanie linford

4/10/2015 11:38:32 am

Thank God this PROP 47 was passed. I voted for this too because I truly believe that we have so much work to-do still against the Prison System in America but this is a HUGE start. Thousands of people may have the opportunity to come home and have charges dropped/lessen. The people that will be effected by this charge are the one's who committed a crimes that consists of petty theft, fraud, drug charges, robbery, etc. Thousands of people are in prisons because these crimes gave them a felony. With PROP 47 being passed these felonies can become misdemeanors which will allow these people to come on home. It gives people not a second chance but another circumstance to try to live a life they want to be proud to live. The money they want to put into the people and youth to prevent them ever-going to jail is a plus. Hopefully, this can be the start we need to change the way prison life has effected us here in the streets. This prop even gives me hope maybe the government doesn't wan us all to end up in prision.

Shameim Lowther

4/29/2015 04:44:49 am

Prop 47 is helpful to California residents because it can save millions of taxpayer’s dollars every year that is wasted on housing inmates for non-violent petty crimes. If we pass prop 47 we will have programs that will help solve the problem by implementing crime prevention programs, assistance for victims in crimes, mental health treatments. By passing prop 47 dangerous criminals with felonies and prior conviction for rape, molestation, murder, and keeping people with petty crimes out.
This ballot would help my community by giving children/youth who make mistakes young a second chance at life and fixing their mistakes. It would also give schools, and communities more services and funds to use preventative strategies to support safer schools and neighborhoods.
Prisons only promote public safety after the damage and crime is done. But prisons also contribute to the problem by locking people up like animals and treating them badly and not giving inmates the help or services they nee to rehabilitate.
This ballot would support our American values by putting power back into citizen’s hands and giving the voters an opportunity to speak for their communities-thus exercising our amendments to justice and fairness.

Rayvonne Evans

4/30/2015 05:32:48 pm

I think Prop 47 is helpful to California residents because it saves money that can be allocated into helping these people lead normal lives, It is also helpful because fathers and mothers will no longer be away from their children because they're in jail for something petty. I think Prop 47 is a wonderful thing. I think jails are for people who commit heinous crimes against people such as rape and murder. People who have a small amount of weed shouldn't be doing years in jail. The ballot measure impacts Oakland communities because it puts a lot of people back on the streets which means we have to figure out where to get extra resources for the people re-entering society. I don't think prisons play any role in promoting public safety. I think the two are kinda unrelated because regardless of the laws surrounding public safety the laws get broken and people go to jail but people aren't anymore safe. Prisons don't advertise public safety. They advertise public slavery. This ballot measure reflects our "value" that everyone should have a chance at being successful. It gives these people who aren't really criminals to live normal lives and be productive members of society.

Hang Nguyen

4/30/2015 09:25:55 pm

In my opinion, the Proposition 47 really helps poor people. The funds is used to increase education and that really helps reduce crimes. Also the Pro gives people a second chance to turn their life over. This comes out of good intension, but probably it will indirectly cause more crimes, thieves act because a part of them have been released, as everything has 2 sides. But it will be better to have Pro 47 because we have more space to real with real crimes that will hurt and kill people, rather than a bunch of people who are suffering from drugs and steal to get on with their lives. In compared to killing and torturing, those are just minor flaw.
However, this ballot measure will make my community less safe, since a part of crimes have been released. It might put people in fear of their safety, and also it might encourage more drug crimes and stealing crimes, because the punishment for these crimes are not so strict that they feel ok to do it. The price they have to pay back is not so high.
Nothing is perfect, so is this Proposition. It helps people, yes, but also put other people in danger as well.

Zane Samuel

5/1/2015 03:42:39 am

Prop 47 is helpful because it redirects tax money from being unnecessarily spent on prisons and inmates to instead, be invested into schools and programs that can uplift youth which will in the long run prevent more criminals resulting in less money needed for the prison system. Overall our country spends way too much money on the prison system and creating laws that imprison people for petty non violent crimes. Our community and country would definitely be a better place if we spent more money on education, creating programs that uplift and inspire our youth rather than spending money on prison systems incriminating our youth before they’re even of age, making them believe they’re not worth anything in our society. I feel that prisons barely promote public safety, especially when they incriminate individuals who should be given a second chance and when that money could be spent in improving society through education. On the other hand, when incriminating true criminals like murderers or rapists, prison systems definitely serve a great purpose in taking dangerous people off the streets. Its important for us to create a way to imprison criminals who partake in violent crimes and endanger our communities.

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