California's Proposition 34

California's Proposition 34, passed in 2008, ended the state's practice of executing prisoners and replaced it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The measure aimed to eliminate the death penalty to reduce costs and address concerns about wrongful convictions and racial bias. Instead of execution, those convicted of capital crimes would serve life sentences, with waiver options for parole in some cases. It reflects a shift toward alternative justice approaches, emphasizing rehabilitation and safety over capital punishment, while maintaining severe penalties for serious crimes.