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May 14, 2009 - We examine the steps that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has taken to implement Chapter 7, Statutes of 2007 (AB 900, Solorio) which authorized a total of approximately $7.7 billion for a broad package of prison construction and rehabilitation initiatives in order to relieve the significant overcrowding problems facing state prisons. Based on our review, we identify several issues that merit legislative consideration. For example, we note that the department’s construction cost estimates for the infill bed projects reflect an almost quadrupling of costs since the last state prison was built about seven years ago. Moreover, we find that the cost to operate the infill bed and reentry facilities and pay the annual debt service for the lease-revenue bonds to construct these facilities will be significant. Based on the department’s estimates, when fully implemented, the infill bed and reentry facilities could increase General Fund costs by $1.3 billion annually.
May 5, 2009 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration
March 19, 2009 - Presented to: Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration
March 11, 2009 - Presented to: Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee
March 9, 2009 - Presented to Senate Public Safety Committee and Assebmly Public Safety Committee
February 24, 2009 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration
February 24, 2009 - Presented to: Senate Public Safety Committee
January 30, 2009 - In this report, we identify issues and present recommendations related to the Judicial and Criminal Justice systems. These include presenting an alternative package of correctional population proposals that attempts to provide a better balance between the need to achieve budgetary savings and the goal of protecting public safety. Our alternative essentially builds upon the Governor’s proposals by modifying the direct discharge proposal and replacing it with earned discharge from parole. We also identify several issues regarding the federal court–appointed Receiver’s health care construction program that merit legislative consideration. For example, we note that the need for the 10,000 new health care beds proposed by the Receiver remains uncertain. In addition, the costs identified by the Receiver to operate the proposed new health care facilities would be significant—exceeding $1 billion annually upon full implementation.
January 27, 2009 - Legislative Analyst Director of Criminal Justice, Anthony Simbol, discusses the fourth report in the LAO’s 2009-10 Budget Analysis Series, titled Criminal Justice Realignment
January 27, 2009 - The Governor’s 2009-10 budget plan contains a proposal to shift some funding for some criminal justice programs from the state to the local level. We recommend that the Legislature expand upon this concept, and implement a policy-driven realignment of nearly $1.4 billion of state responsibilities to counties along with resources to pay for them. In particular, we propose that the state shift to counties programs for juvenile offenders and adults convicted of drug possession crimes. Under our realignment concept, counties would have broad authority to manage juvenile and drug–addicted adult offenders programs to achieve success. We recommend that the Legislature finance this criminal justice realignment by increasing the vehicle license fee (VLF) rate to 1 percent (which results in a revenue gain of $1.1 billion) and redirecting $359 million of existing VLF revenues. Under this financing approach, realignment would serve as a nearly $1.4 billion ongoing General Fund budget solution.
December 1, 2008 - The role of the Legislative Analyst's Office is to review state programs and make recommendations to the Legislature as to how the state can operate more effectively and efficiently. This report summarizes various changes to law that we have recommended in recent years. Recommendations in this report include, among many others: (a) Simplify and Consolidate K-12 General Purpose Funding, (b) Promote the Adoption of Health Information Technology in California, (c) Fund Inmate Education Programs Based on Actual Attendance, and (d) Increase and Index the State Gas Tax.
September 25, 2008 - Presented to: Senate Public Safety Committee Hon. Gloria Romero, Chair Assembly Public Safety Committee Hon. Jose Solorio, Chair
September 23, 2008 - Presented to: Senate Public Safety Committee, Hon. Gloria Romero, Chair and Assembly Public Safety Committee, Hon. Jose Solorio, Chair
September 23, 2008 - Presented to the Assembly and Senate Public Safety Committees
June 13, 2008 - LAO compromise for Item 5225-001-0001, 5225-002-0001, and 5225-101-0001 of the 2008 Budget Conference Committee (pages 304-312, 323-324).