Aoki Center Presents: Ryken Grattet "California’s Experiment with Prison Downsizing: Any progress in Reversing Racial Disparities in Correctional Involvement?" 4/10/2018

Please join UC Davis Chair and Professor of Sociology, Ryken Grattet in his presentation and discussion of - "California’s Experiment with Prison Downsizing: Any progress in Reversing Racial Disparities in Correctional Involvement?" As is well-documented, the rapid prison expansion in the United States, sometimes referred to as the “Prison Boom,” had greater negative consequences for African Americans as compared with any other group. However, prison populations nationwide are now downsizing amidst a renaissance of enthusiasm for alternatives of incarceration, “local” approaches to sanctions, and rehabilitation. California was leader in mass incarceration and is now emerging as a leader in prison downsizing. It is timely to consider how African Americans incarcerated in California are impacted by key reforms like Public Safety Realignment and Proposition 47. Professor Grattet will discuss how these reforms have affected prisons and jails in the state and focus specifically on how they are impacting racial disparities in incarceration.