76K Inmates May Be Released Early for Good Behavior
The Claim
California Governor Gavin Newsom released 76,000 inmates from jail.
News posted on
Emerging story
On May 4, 2021, Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox spoke at a campaign event in Sacramento. At the event, he said that citizens “don't want to live in fear of fires, or live in fear of rising crime. I mean, [Newsom] just let 76,000 inmates out of jail with almost no warning.”
Discussion of the claim soon took off on social media.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recently applied Proposition 57 to allow imprisoned people to shorten their sentences if they demonstrate good behavior. Inmates serving time under Penal Code 66.75(c) who earn “good conduct credit” may reduce their time in prison.
While the 76,000 number of affected inmates is correct, Cox is incorrect that Newsom "just let 76,000 inmates out of jail with almost no warning.” Instead, if the inmates demonstrate good behavior, they may be released slightly sooner than initially planned.
Cox – who rebranded himself as Beast John Cox – has been scrutinized for bringing Tag, a Kodiak bear, along on his campaign. Cox’s campaign video featuring Tag is below.
Since 76,000 inmates were not released under Newsom, but rather may have early release with quite a bit of fair warning, we rate this claim as false.
