OAKLAND, CA — A newly released investigative report from the Criminal Law & Justice Center at UC Berkeley School of Law found that the resentencing program initiated under former District Attorney Nancy O’Malley and expanded under former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price saved California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars while maintaining public safety—raising new questions about the political forces, narratives, and media coverage surrounding Price’s 2024 recall.

The report, Measuring the Impact of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing in Alameda County, found that the DA’s resentencing program reduced incarceration by 2,792 years across 165 cases, generating estimated annual savings of $42.6 million to $287.4 million.

After taking office in 2023, Price established a formal Resentencing and Reentry Unit, resulting in 93 resentencing actions and a structured, evidence-based approach to justice reform.

“This independent research confirms what we said from day one—evidence-based justice works,” said Pamela Price, candidate for Alameda County District Attorney.
“The real question now is: why were these facts ignored while false narratives were amplified?”

Media Silence Raises New Concerns

Recent controversy surrounding Congressman Eric Swalwell, a gubernatorial candidate and former Alameda County prosecutor, has intensified scrutiny of media coverage. The story—widely covered in California Black Media outlets including the Oakland Post, Sacramento Observer, LA Focus, and National Today—reported that Price condemned Swalwell for reposting what she described as a racist and dehumanizing video.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UeuSrGWe5XE-S0OfHx-8Lk2iHQ4tuYrR/view?usp=sharing

Yet notably, the story received little to no coverage in mainstream media outlets, raising concerns about disparities in news judgment and whose voices are amplified.

Price publicly called on Democratic leaders to condemn the repost, comparing the rhetoric to Trump-era dehumanizing political attacks. She was joined by Black Women Organized for Political Action-CA (BWOPA). In a statement entitled Leadership, Accountability and Respect, BWOPA-CA pointed out that “when Black women in positions of authority are publicly demeaned - particularly by members of our own party - it sends a chilling message. It signals to future generations of leaders that their service will be met with ridicule rather than respect.” BWOPA-CA called upon Congressman Swalwell to remove his offensive social media post and publicly apologize to former DA Price - a call he ignored.

Former Prosecutors, Recall Politics, and Accountability

The UC Berkeley Law report’s validation of Price’s reforms comes amid renewed attention to the coalition behind her recall, which included:

• 14 police unions
• Billionaire Phillip Dreyfuss
• Former Alameda County DA Nancy O’Malley
• Congressman Eric Swalwell, also a former Alameda County prosecutor

Both Swalwell and O’Malley previously served during the period of time that Price later began reviewing for patterns of misconduct, including:

• Death penalty cases involving alleged racial bias in jury selection
• Discriminatory Charging practices and prosecutorial decision-making

Allegations of Prosecutorial Bias Spark Review of Death Penalty Convictions in Alameda County
https://www.kqed.org/news/11983705/allegations-of-prosecutorial-bias-spark-review-of-death-penalty-convictions-in-alameda-county

Appointed DA Ursula Jones Dickson stopped the review of Death Penalty Convictions
https://oaklandvoices.us/2026/02/10/alameda-county-district-attorney-death-penalty-resentencing/

This has led supporters to ask:

Did efforts to investigate past prosecutorial conduct contribute to the political push to remove Price from office?

Defying Recall Lies: The Nishita Case- Poster of Misinformation

A central claim used during the recall—that Price was “soft on crime” in the Kevin Nishita case—has been directly challenged by documented facts:

• The case originated under Nancy O’Malley’s administration
• Incorrect defendants were initially charged
• The actual shooter was released and remained a fugitive for nearly two years
• Price’s administration located, extradited, and properly charged the shooter
• Defendants faced over 150 years to life in prison

Key Fact:

Life Without the Possibility of Parole was not removed by Price—it was never charged under the O’Malley administration.  See Document:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rjRtH1RIDP9-LeXk-AAyekqcfp6F559X/view?usp=sharing

Despite this, that distinction was omitted from recall media reports and the recall organizers messaging. See the news release: Civil Rights Attorney and Constitutional Law expert Pamela Price Defies Recall Lies: https://tinyurl.com/AttyPamelaPriceDefiesLies

Double Standard on Law Enforcement Accountability

Price is also speaking out against what she describes as a double standard in the current District Attorney’s Office, particularly in the handling of the Phong Tran bribery and perjury case.

Recent reports indicate that most charges against the Oakland homicide detective may be dropped, raising serious concerns about equal justice under the law.

Under Price’s administration:

• The case was pursued based on credible allegations of witness tampering and misconduct
• A broader review of cases tied to the detective was initiated

Following her removal:

• The Public Accountability Unit was dismantled
• Cases involving alleged law enforcement misconduct were dismissed or weakened

“If accountability applies to everyone, it must apply to law enforcement,” Price stated.
“Anything less undermines public trust in the justice system.”  See Price’s complete statement:
Pamela Price Blasts Double Standard for Law Enforcement As Current Appointed DA may drop most charges in Phong Tran Bribery & Perjury Case
https://tinyurl.com/Price-PhongTranPerjury-DAError

A Proven Blueprint for Public Safety

The UC Berkeley report confirms that Price’s policies:

• Reduced incarceration by 2,792 years
• Saved taxpayers up to $287 million
• Focused on individuals with extremely low risk of reoffending, particularly those over age 50

Researchers recommend restoring a robust resentencing unit and reinvesting savings into community safety and reentry programs. Click link below for the entire report:

Measuring the Impact of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing in Alameda County
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/criminal-law-and-justice-center/our-work/measuring-the-impact-of-prosecutor-initiated-resentencing-in-alameda-county/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A Broader Vision: Justice, Civil Rights, and Community Safety

Price’s leadership continues beyond the DA’s office:

• Featured speaker at the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Spring Meeting
  “Women in the Wake of Epstein and Diddy”
• Advocate for victims of violence, issuing a compassionate response to the March 7 Oakland mass shooting
• Defender of constitutional rights, including speaking out against harmful immigration enforcement practices

Her approach reflects a consistent philosophy:

Justice must be fair, evidence-based, and applied equally to all.

RELATED NEWS

Price’s Public Engagement: Her recent appearance at the Project Rebound debate at Cal State University East Bay hosted by Forrest Jones with moderators Enterprise and Accountability Reporter, Alex Hall of KQED and Ravi Kapur, CEO of DIYA TV, highlighted Price’s legal expertise and her commitment to equal justice under the law. Click the link to hear the debate live streamed by DIYA TV.

About Pamela Price

Pamela Price is a nationally recognized civil rights attorney and former Alameda County District Attorney who made history as:

• First Black District Attorney in Alameda County’s 170-year history
• First Black woman to serve as District Attorney
• First DA elected in 75 years without being appointed first
• First to run again after a recall

She is seeking election in the June 2, 2026 primary.

About Committee to Re-Elect Pamela Price 2026

The Committee to Re-Elect Pamela Price 2026 (REEP) is a grassroots, corporate-free campaign committed to justice, equity, and accountability.

Vote to Re-Elect Pamela Price on June 2, 2026
FPPC #1485362

Media Contact

Jackie Wright
Wright Enterprises
Public Relations & Media Strategy
San Francisco, California
415-525-0410
[email protected]