#california-prisons

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Kqed
4 days ago
California

California Could Save Millions by Closing More Prisons. So Why Is Newsom Holding Back? | KQED

California's inmate population decreased significantly over the years, prompting Governor Newsom to close several prisons and save billions of dollars. [ more ]
Sacramento Bee
2 months ago
California

Gavin Newsom could save $1 billion by closing 5 California prisons, legislative analyst says

California could save $1 billion yearly by closing five state prisons.
The number of inmates in California has decreased by 34,000 in the last five years. [ more ]
www.mercurynews.com
3 months ago
California

Opinion: Why is California still paying for prisons it doesn't need?

Despite a decline in the incarcerated population and rising costs, Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized billion-dollar raises for corrections officers and additional funding for prison buildings.
Efforts to address the issue, such as prison realignment and releasing thousands of inmates during the pandemic, have not solved the systemic problems and wasteful spending endemic to California prisons. [ more ]
Los Angeles Times
3 months ago
California

Riot in Riverside County prison sparks statewide warning

A warning was issued to all California prisons after a violent incident at Ironwood State Prison involving 200 prisoners and resulting in injuries to staff members and a prisoner.
The incident occurred during a contraband investigation when the prisoner headbutted a staff member, leading to a rush of prisoners attacking officers with fists and rocks.
The rest of California's prisons were put on a 'modified programming' protocol restricting prisoner movement, but the protocol has since been lifted except for one section of Ironwood that remains under investigation. [ more ]
Los Angeles Times
3 months ago
Social justice

Opinion: California has a $38-billion deficit. So why are we still paying for prisons we don't need?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized billions of dollars in spending on corrections officers' raises and prison buildings, despite a decline in incarcerated population and a budget deficit.
California has a history of mismanaging savings from prison realignment and diverting funds to law enforcement, instead of more effective community initiatives. [ more ]
San Jose Inside
3 months ago
Social justice

As California Closes Prisons, Spending per Inmate Hits Record

The cost of imprisoning one person in California has increased by over 90% in the past decade, reaching a record-breaking $132,860 annually.
California's spending per inmate has continued to increase despite recent cost-cutting moves, propelled by employee compensation deals and costly mandates for improving health care behind bars.
Closing additional prisons could save the state upwards of $1 billion in operating costs, but the savings are not enough to offset increased operational and employee costs. [ more ]
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