“Second Chance” Summit on Proposition 47

On November 4, 2014, voters overwhelmingly (by 77 percent) approved Proposition 47, the initiative allowing “those with records that include certain low-level felonies to have old charges reclassified as misdemeanors, opening up new opportunities for housing, education and employment.” This may enable as many as 11,000 Santa CruzCounty residents to clear their records and put them on the path to a brighter future.
There will be a countywide summit on January 28, 2016 at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, which will include” legal, social services, health care, employment, housing and California Department of Motor Vehicles representatives helping people learn how to take advantage of these services as stepping stones to becoming more productive members of the community.” Free child care and light refreshments will be available.
This summit event will be organized by the Santa Cruz County Public Defender’s Office, United Way of Santa CruzCounty, WatsonvilleLawCenter, Communities Organizing for Relational Power in Action, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County and the County of Santa Cruz. There will be a new website, www.prop47sec.org, “to help individuals learn more about the process and direct them toward valuable resources.”
According to Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold, “This is an unprecedented opportunity for those who have already paid their debts to society. Past mistakes shouldn’t be a lifelong sentence for those trying to turn their lives around. We can lower recidivism if people have a chance to get a job and housing.”
The 2014 San Jose State Record Clearance Project shows that record clearance pays off. It was found that people whose old offenses were expunged earned an average salary increase of $6,190 per year, as well as increasing productivity and a reduction on reliance on government assistance.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that record classification will save taxpayers from $100-$200 million beginning in 2016-17. These savings will then support mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, as well as provide youth education, housing and employment services.