Understanding the Impact of Prop 36 on Los Angeles County
Overview
California voters passed Proposition 36 in 2024 in response to concerns about homelessness, public substance use, and retail theft. Proponents promised: “Proposition 36 is NOT about going back to an era of mass incarceration. This is about creating a new era of mass treatment.” However, the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera)'s analysis shows that in Los Angeles County, Prop 36 has inflated the jail population while connecting relatively few people to treatment. Vera is tracking Prop 36 implementation quarterly in Los Angeles, drawing on jail booking and population data from county government and police agencies. Vera’s analysis shows trends in jail bookings and jail stays in Los Angeles County due to the repeat theft and treatment-mandated felony charges created by Prop 36.
Key Takeaway
Because Prop 36 transformed low-level misdemeanor charges into felonies with higher bail and potential prison time, jail stays are more common and longer than before. Under Prop 36, Los Angeles County is spending money putting people in jail instead of into the evidence-backed programs that help reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness and substance use issues.