Interactive Dashboards Offer Unprecedented Access to California Prison Data
The California Policy Lab, in collaboration with the Committee on the Revision of the Penal Code, has launched the California Prison Population Data Dashboards. This public tool offers interactive access to a decade of information on California's state prison population with detailed insights by race, gender, age, offense type, and county of conviction.
Comprehensive Data Access
Available at www.californiaprisondata.org, the dashboards compile extensive data sourced from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The information is refreshed twice a year, covering admissions, releases, and current prison populations.
Impact on Legal and Public Understanding
“For the first time, lawyers, policy-makers, and the general public can see detailed information about who goes to prison, for which crimes, for how long, and from which counties. That creates a much more granular level of detail than was historically available to the public.” – Michael Romano, Chairperson of the Committee on the Revision of the Penal Code
Background and Purpose
This initiative represents years of research efforts aimed at improving transparency and accessibility of criminal justice data in California.
Summary: The California Prison Population Data Dashboards provide detailed, up-to-date prison data, enhancing transparency and enabling informed analysis by various stakeholders.