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Independent, objective, nonpartisan research
Report · December 2013

Public Safety Realignment and Crime Rates in California

Steven Raphael and Magnus Lofstrom

Public safety realignment substantially reduced the state’s prison population. Between 2011 and 2012, property crime increased in California as a result of this policy change. Auto theft increased most dramatically, by 14.8 percent-or about 24,000 per year. By contrast, violent crime rates did not appear to be affected.

This research was supported with funding from the Smith Richardson Foundation.


Topics

Criminal Justice