Proposition 47 making a difference for Capitola man
It’s been one year since voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 47. The measure reduced penalties for most nonviolent property and drug crimes to cut back on prison overcrowding.
A new study shows as many as 11,000 Santa Cruz County residents could benefit from Prop. 47.
Jesus Catarino spent many years in and out of jail, and addicted to drugs. That all changed when his daughter Jocelyn got diagnosed with a rare spinal condition.
“I just decided to quit being selfish. Finally I just knew that if I can do it for myself, that I would be able to show up and give her a productive life,” said Catarino, a resident of Capitola.
Now eight years sober, he’s facing another difficult challenge. Trying to care and provide for his daughter with a rap sheet of drug-related felonies.
“I know in my heart and people around me know that I’m a productive member of society and that I’ve cleaned up. But when that’s not reflected on paper it takes a toll on an individual and their chances are a lot more minimal,” said Catarino.
But when Prop. 47 passed one year ago, Catarino got another chance.
“Being a felon, they have a big scarlet letter on them. Prop. 47 lets us, after they have cleaned up and they’re back on the right track, take that scarlet letter off. It opens door for housing, for employment, for licensing. It’s been very beneficial,” said Jim McMillin with the Public Defender’s Office.
Still opponents said other parts of the law don’t make sense, like the reduction of crimes involving stolen firearms or the use of the date rape drug. Last month, concerned residents gathered in Santa Cruz to discuss the proposition’s effects.
“I think things are falling through the cracks and there are a lot of people that don’t understand what they voted in last November,” said Deborah Elston, a resident against Prop. 47.
But Catarino said he’s an example of what voters did understand about the new law.
“Where I used to be a liability to my community, I can now be an asset. And that’s not possible without this law in place,” said Catarino.
