At least two moderate criminal justice reform bills stalled in the California legislature this month, a surprising development in a state perceived to be so progressive.
California Assembly Bill 280 would have limited the time corrections officials could restrict those imprisoned in the state’s jails, prisons, and immigration centers in solitary confinement. Senate Bill 94 would have allowed judges to review life-without-parole sentences for people convicted of the offense before June 5, 1990, and imprisoned for at least 25 years. Both were put on hold in the final hours of the legislative session. Both Assembly Member Chris Holden, AB 280’s sponsor, and SB 94 sponsor, Sen. Dave Cortese, said they will make their bills two-year measures, and will bring both back next year.
The LA Times reported that opposition from various law enforcement groups to both bills and skepticism from Gov. Gavin Newsom about the scope of AB 280, in particular, were enough to convince both sponsors that the timing wasn’t right. Cortese told the Sacramento Bee, “On a bill like that ([SB 94], when the stakes are high, you don’t want to go in there without knowing the final count.” The final vote count was 34 in favor of SB 94, with 41 votes needed to pass the Assembly.
