In(Justice) in Sacramento: A Case for Change and Accountability

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Sacramento County is an important jurisdiction for reform of the laws and policies that produce mass incarceration. The county incarcerates roughly 10,000 people between county jails and state prisons. The DA, Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, and courts consume 64 percent of the County General Fund, yet the county’s crime rate — though slightly higher than the state and federal average — has declined steadily since 2006. People of color are incarcerated at disproportionately high rates in Sacramento and feel the collateral effects of the carceral system most acutely.

This report outlines the practices and policies of Sacramento DA Anne Marie Schubert’s office through an analysis of prosecution data and qualitative research methods. Findings show ample opportunities for reform, many of which are within the DA’s purview and can be modeled after policies in other jurisdictions. 

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