Proposition 57 was designed to make individuals convicted of nonviolent felony crimes who served full sentences for their primary offense and passed screening for public security eligible for parole. That made about 7,000 inmates immediately eligible, according to The Associated Press.
Prison numbers dropped after California voters approved Proposition 47 in 2014, which reduced nonviolent, non serious crimes to misdemeanors and gave more inmates a higher chance for parole consideration. Proposition 57 was partly another response to the 2009 federal order mandating that California reduce its prison population numbers.
Additionally, Proposition 57 allowed inmates to earn credits for good behavior and educational or rehabilitative achievements. "Its essence is to provide an incentive," said Gov. Jerry Brown (D), who spearheaded the campaign. The measure provided for inmates to use credits to reduce time spent in prison.