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Investigating Criminal Justice

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VIDEO: A compilation of our investigations into California's rehabilitation & recidivism data

Are prison reform laws in California leading to more rehabilitation and fewer felons reoffending after release? The state still can't - or won't - provide the data to answer those basic questions. Over the past year, we've conducted dozens of interviews with former inmates, crime victims, prosecutors, public defenders, lawmakers, researchers, and advocates for both prisoners and crime victims. Many, if not all of them, would also like the data and answers we've been working to get from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). This continuing coverage was prompted by a 2022 mass shooting in the shadow of California's state capitol. Nearly two years later, we're still working to get answers and access to - what should be - public information and data about early prison release policies and recidivism. See more of our continuing coverage here: https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/tag/rehabilitation-recidivism-data

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Could new legislation force CDCR to disclose “secret” prison release credits?

When California voters passed Prop 57, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said inmates would earn early release credits for rehabilitation and lose credits for bad behavior. But critics say nearly everyone is getting out early and there's little accountability. Now, Assemblyman Joe Patterson is announcing legislation that would require CDCR to notify the DA's office when an inmate is released and disclose the Prop 57 credit calculation. He's also co-sponsoring a bill that would make those so-called "secret" calculations a public record.

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VIDEO: Why is the Attorney General's office refusing to investigate some police shootings?

In California, a bill passed in the wake of George Floyd protests now requires the state Attorney General to investigate law enforcement killings of unarmed suspects. But as we recently reported, in partnership with CalMatters, California's efforts to police the police are off to a slow start. Now, there are new questions about the majority of law enforcement shootings that the Attorney General decided not to investigate at all.

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