California Proposition 36, passed in 2012, aimed to reform the state's three-strikes law. This law previously mandated life sentences for individuals convicted of three serious or violent felonies, leading to harsh penalties for non-violent offenders. Proposition 36 allowed for a more lenient approach, permitting individuals serving life sentences for non-violent third strikes to seek a reduced sentence. The measure was designed to reduce prison overcrowding and save taxpayer money while still holding serious offenders accountable. It also aimed to provide a second chance for those who had committed non-violent crimes, promoting rehabilitation over punishment in the California justice system.