Sheriff Jim Cooper launches a ballot initiative to reform Prop 57, aiming to prevent parole for sexually violent predators under elderly parole laws.
SACRAMENTO, California — Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper announced a new ballot initiative Wednesday aimed at reforming Proposition 57, a 2016 measure intended to reduce California’s prison population.
During a press conference, Cooper said the initiative comes in response to recent cases involving convicted sexually violent predators being considered for release under California’s elderly parole laws.
Proposition 57 was passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2016, but Cooper argues the law has led to unintended consequences, allowing some convicted predators to become eligible for parole.
During the announcement, Cooper was joined by child abuse detectives and pointed to recent parole cases involving 57-year-old Gregory Vogelsang and 64-year-old David Allen Funston. Both men were convicted of sex crimes decades ago and considered for release.
The proposed initiative, called “Protect Our Kids: Reform Prop 57,” seeks to change current laws that allow for those types of parole cases. Cooper also criticized decisions made by the state’s parole board.
“The Parole Board overrides a jury of his peers, overrides a judge who did a trial. What the hell is that? What the hell is going on in California? We’re going to own this issue, we’re going to raise the money and we’re going to pass the ballot issue. We’re going to reform Prop 57 on that,” Cooper said.
Cooper said the push for reform is rooted in cases from Sacramento County, including those involving Vogelsang and Funston, but emphasized the goal is to implement statewide changes to prevent similar releases in the future.
As for next steps, the sheriff said supporters will begin raising money and gathering signatures to place the initiative on the ballot for voters in 2028.
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