California’s COVID Prison Exodus: What Happened to 15,000 Early Released Inmates?

New data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is raising serious concerns about the long-term effects of the state’s COVID-era early release policy. Between April 2020 and December 2021, nearly 14,800 inmates were released early as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s emergency response to the pandemic. But the outcome has shocked many: approximately 4,600—nearly one-third—have since returned to prison, most for non-violent offenses. Leading causes of reoffending include illegal gun possession and assault. Experts attribute the high recidivism rate to a lack of reentry support, pointing to systemic issues like housing instability, unemployment, and limited mental health access. While the policy was designed to curb COVID-19 outbreaks in overcrowded prisons, critics argue it failed to provide a safety net for reintegration. The numbers reignite debate over balancing public health with public safety—and whether early release, without structured support, does more harm than good.