California released 15,000 prisoners early during COVID. New data reveals what happened to many of them
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, from early 2020 through the end of 2021, California released approximately 14,800 inmates ahead of schedule to decrease prison overcrowding and reduce the risk of virus outbreaks.
- This early release targeted non-serious, non-violent offenders who were close to completing their sentences and did not require sex offender registration.
- By January 31, 2025, roughly 31% of those released returned to prison, often for crimes like illegal gun possession , assault , and burglary , while fewer than 1% committed murder.
- Albert Lundeen, a Corrections spokesperson, noted higher recidivism rates among this non-violent group are common, while advocates cited lack of community support and re-entry programs during the pandemic as major challenges.
- The analysis suggests that despite some violent cases, most early-released inmates avoided serious crimes, but the data highlights gaps in support that may have increased recidivism during this difficult period.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Report: One-Third of All California Prisoners Released Early During COVID Ended Up Back In Prison
A new analysis tracks what became of California prison inmates released early during the COVID outbreaks of 2020 and 2021, and finds that just over 30% of them committed crimes again and found themselves back in prison. Back during the darkest days of COVID in 2020 and 2021, we saw the recurring tragic story of COVID outbreaks at San Quentin and other California prisons, with the San Quentin outbreak alone claiming 29 lives. So the state of Cali…
Cal Matters
California released 15,000 prisoners early during COVID. New data reveals what happened to many of them
In summary Records obtained and analyzed by CalMatters offer the first glimpse into what happened to some of the former prisoners after state leaders chose to shrink a prison population imperiled by the pandemic. Nearly one-third of California prisoners released early during the pandemic by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration ended up back in prison, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation data. The records, obtained…
Gavin Giveth, The System Taketh Back - Nearly One-Third Of Prisoners Released During COVID Are Back Behind Bars (30 Of Those Were For Murder)
By Byrhonda Lyons – CalMatters Nearly one-third of California prisoners released early during the pandemic by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration ended up back in prison, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation data. The records, obtained and analyzed by CalMatters, offer the first glimpse into what happened to some of the former prisoners after state leaders chose to shrink a prison population imperiled by the spre…
Report: A third of Calif. Inmates released during pandemic returned to prison
Around one-third of the prisoners that were released by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic wound up back in prison. That rate of recidivism was reported by CalMatters based on data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The backstory: From April 2020 to December 2021, California officials let around 14,800 people out of prison, saying at the time that it was to pr…
Nearly one-third of California prisoners released early back in prison - The Sacramento Observer
By Byrhonda Lyons | CALmatters Network Nearly one-third of California prisoners released early during the pandemic by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration ended up back in prison, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation data. The records, obtained and analyzed by CalMatters, offer the first glimpse into what happened to some of the former prisoners after state leaders chose to shrink a prison population imperiled by th…
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