Analysis of California’s Recall and Resentencing Referral Program

Presenter: Chloe Howard

Co-Presenter(s):
Karlee Wilkinson

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 22-23

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Omayra Ortega

Department: Mathematics

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

Abstract:
This analysis looks at data from public records regarding the Recall and Resentencing Referral program in California. The Recall and Resentencing program aims to systematically decrease the number of inmates in California state prisons by releasing or resentencing the inmates. Criteria set forth by the state and prisons determine an inmate’s eligibility based on reasons related to medical concerns, changes in the law, sentencing discrepancies, or for rewarding good inmate behavior. The data contained detailed aspects of each case specific to individual inmates considered for the program. About 20 characteristics, or variables, were available. This analysis used five of the available variables: cohort(s) (these are groups based on the criteria that made the inmates eligible for the program), action (the outcome; released, resentenced, no action, other), race, county, and cost savings. We have found relationships between some of those variables at a significant level based on our alpha value of 0.05. The relationship between the variables ‘Action Taken’ and county, race, and county location, and ‘Action Taken’ and Cohort were all significant based on the alpha value. Some notable statistics supported evidence that the program serves inmates of color more than their white counterparts at varying levels of the process. Having data for all prisoners in the California State Prison system would benefit continued analysis. These results may aid legislation in creating new laws and programs regarding unjust or racist sentencing. The overall recommendation from this analysis is that this program should continue so that the number of incarcerated persons in California decreases. Students in MATH 467 class at Sonoma State University completed this analysis.