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- Category: Criminal justice
OVERVIEW REPORT: The Role of Second Look Policies in Reforming California’s Approach to Incarceration 
PRESS RELEASE: New Research on People Released from Prison Under California’s Second Look Resentencing Policies
Over the past 13 years, California has implemented numerous criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing prison sentences, limiting the use of sentencing enhancements, and shrinking the state’s prison population. Many of these reforms include “second look” provisions, allowing courts to review older sentences in light of new policies, and where appropriate, apply new laws retroactively. The efforts reflect a broader shift toward proportional sentencing, rehabilitation, and more equitable sentences. We present the number of people released from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) custody under each reform, their demographic and case characteristics, and their recidivism rates. For context, we also provide summary statistics and recidivism rates for all individuals released from CDCR custody in fiscal year 2018–19.
This research is made possible through a partnership between the California Policy Lab at the University of California and the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code, a state agency that studies and makes recommendations to improve California’s criminal legal system.
Second Look Research Series
The policy briefs focus on specific reforms:
Select media coverage
CalMatters: California shrank prisons with sentencing changes. A new study shows how that’s working (Sept 25, 2025)
Davis Vanguard: New Report Finds California’s Second Look Resentencing Policies Lead to Lower Recidivism, Especially for Long-Term Prisoners (Sept 25, 2025)
Orange County Register editorial: Some clarity on impact of justice reforms (Oct 1, 2025)
Univision 14: TV segment (Sept 29, 2025)
KOVR 13: TV segment (Sept. 29, 2025)
Key Findings
1. Together, these five resentencing policies contributed to the release of approximately 9,500 people. The number of people released under each policy ranged from approximately 800 (CDCR-initiated resentencing) to nearly 5,000 (Prop 47) — with many people, especially those serving long sentences, released earlier than they otherwise would have been.
2. People released due to resentencing policies were less likely to be convicted of new crimes within the first year than total releases, and the majority of new convictions were for misdemeanors. The one-year new conviction rates ranged from 3% (felony murder reform) to 29% (Prop 47). New serious or violent felony convictions were rare, with Prop 47 having the highest rate at 1.6%.
3. People resentenced and released after serving long sentences (a median of 12–16 years) had very low recidivism rates. Among those resentenced under felony murder reform, Prop 36, or CDCR-initiated resentencing, just 3% to 8% were convicted of any new offense within one year. Fewer than one percent — less than five people — released through CDCR-initiated resentencing or felony murder reform were convicted of a serious or violent felony in that time.
4. Within three years following release, 25% of those resentenced under Prop 36 were convicted of a new offense. More than half of those convictions were for misdemeanors.
5. Among those resentenced under Prop 47, 57% were convicted of a new offense within three years, compared to 42% of total releases. Thirty-eight percent were convicted of a new misdemeanor and 19% were convicted of a new felony.
6. Women made up a larger share of people resentenced under felony murder reform than any other policy. Felony murder laws hold people liable for deaths occurring during the commission of a felony, even if they did not directly cause or intend the death. Women made up 11% of those resentenced and released under felony murder reform, compared to 7% of total releases. In contrast, women represented less than 2% of releases under Prop 36 and SB 483, reflecting gender differences in arrests and convictions for serious or violent felonies and sentencing enhancements.
7. People resentenced under these policies were generally older and had served longer sentences than all people released from prison in fiscal year 2018–19 (“total releases”). Nearly 60% were aged 40 or older at release, compared to 34% of total releases.
Suggested Citation: Skog, A., Lacoe, J. (2025). The Role of Second Look Policies in Reforming California’s Approach to Incarceration. California Policy Lab, University of California. https://capolicylab.org/reforming-californias-approach-to-incarceration-the-role-of-second-look-policies/