54.8
Measures for Justice
We develop tools that help communities reshape how the criminal justice system works.
In San Bernardino County, CA, 54.8% of minor, nonviolent cases without recent priors were sent to jail.
That means half of the people in this county convicted for a nonviolent misdemeanor ended up in jail.?
It begs the questions: when should a misdemeanor result in jail time, and should those practices differ from county to county?
A nonviolent misdemeanor could include vandalism, theft, spitting, jaywalking, peeing on the street, disobeying a court order, violating? probation, and some DUIs.?
Some will look at these crimes and agree with jail time. But others may look at this data and point to the under usage of alternatives to incarceration or diversion programs earlier in the process.?
However you look at it, one thing is clear: without data, we don’t have answers. We need criminal justice data to help local leaders and communities answer these questions. No data, no change.?
Partner with Measures for Justice for data transparency and criminal justice reform. There’s still time to give $54.80 by Dec. 31.