Prop 57
Proposition 57 permits nonviolent convicts to be considered for parole, alters juvenile prosecution laws, and gives sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior, and education. If you have questions about how this law might affect your case or the case of a loved one, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for help.
Cases involving minors
California Proposition 21 was repealed by Proposition 57. Proposition 21 allowed prosecutors complete discretion over whether a minor should be tried as a juvenile or as an adult.
Thanks to Prop 57, juvenile court judges now decide whether or not minors aged fourteen and older should be tried and punished as adults.
Cases involving adults
Proposition 57 permits nonviolent offenders to be released after serving their full term for their original criminal offense. Prior to this, inmates were frequently obliged to serve additional time as a result of a sentence augmentation, such as those imposed for repeat offenders.
Furthermore, Proposition 57 allows the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to give people extra time credits in exchange for good behavior, resulting in reduced sentences.
| Past rates of good behavior credits | New rates of good behavior credits (as of May 1, 2021) | |
| Violent offenders | 20% (one day of credit for every four days served) | 33.3% (one day of credit for every two days served) |
| Nonviolent second striker | 33.3% (one day of credit for every two days served) | 50% (one day of credit for every one day served) |
| Nonviolent third striker | 33.3% (one day of credit for every two days served) | 50% (one day of credit for every one day served) |
Additional credits
Additional credits can be earned by certain incarcerated individuals. These include:
Minimum Security Credit: The Minimum Security Credit (MSC), will be awarded to all eligible incarcerated people who work in conservation (fire) camps, are trained as firefighters, or who are assigned to minimum custody status. Effective May 1, 2021, incarcerated people will be awarded 30 days of credit for every 30 continuous days served.
Milestone Completion Credits: These credits are awarded for successful completion of rehabilitative or educational programs designed to prepare participants to find employment upon release. The minimum award is one week with a maximum of twelve weeks in a 12-month period.
Rehabilitative Achievement Credits: These credits go to those who have completed approved volunteer and self-help activities. Up to ten days of credit can be given to someone who takes part in 52 hours within a 12-month period.
Educational Merit Credits: When a person earns their high school diploma or GED while incarcerated, a higher education degree, or the Offender Mentor Certification Program, they ear credits. High school diplomas and GEDs give 90 days and 180 days can be awarded for the other options.
Extraordinary Conduct Credits: A person might earn up to 12 months of credit if they take part in a heroic act in a life-threating situation or otherwise provide extraordinary help in maintaining a prison’s security and/or safety.
Call Us Now with Questions
Do you have questions about whether or not you or your loved one’s case will be affected by these additional credits? Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to learn more.