By C1 Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California corrections officer union has taken no stance on a proposition that would release thousands of non-violent prisoners.
The Huffington Post reports that California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) “has not taken a stance on Proposition 47 and has no intention of doing so.”
If approved, Proposition 47 would downgrade non-violent crimes like shoplifting, bad checks and most drug possession felonies to misdemeanors.
A change of leadership in 2002 had the union adopt more reform-oriented rhetoric on issues like mandatory minimums and rehabilitation services.
The union did back Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to expand the number of beds in private prisons, but that plan died and the state is still facing massive prison overcrowding. The union also stands to gain from less crowded prisons.
Other unions have come out against the proposition.