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February 23, 2024 - This post provides an overview of the Governor’s 2024-25 proposed funding levels for the judicial branch and our assessments and recommendations on a proposal to provide $19 million ongoing General Fund to support self-help centers.
February 20, 2024 - In this post, we evaluate the Governor's proposal to provide $4.4 million to county probation departments to support the temporary increase in the Post Release Community Supervision population resulting from Proposition 57 (2016).
February 14, 2024 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
February 9, 2024 - This post provides an overview of the Governor’s 2024-25 proposed funding levels for the Department of Justice. It also provides our assessment and recommendations on a proposed $100 million loan from the state Litigation Deposit Fund to the state General Fund.
December 19, 2023 - Presented to: Select Committee on Retail Theft
November 8, 2023 - California’s prison medical system has been under direct management of a Receiver appointed by a federal court since 2006 because the state was found to be providing unconstitutional levels of care. In this brief, we provide an overview of the establishment of the Receivership, changes to prison medical care made by the Receiver, and the steps that the state needs to complete in order to exit the Receivership. We also raise some issues for legislative consideration related to the Receivership.
October 16, 2023 - The 2023-24 budget provides $18.6 billion from the General Fund for judicial and criminal justice programs, including support for program operations and capital outlay projects. This is a decrease of $1.2 billion, or 6 percent, below the revised 2022-23 spending level. A large portion of this reduction is due to the expiration of limited-term funding provided in previous years.
October 10, 2023 - In order to reduce admissions into state prison from people on county probation, the state enacted Chapter 608 of 2009 (SB 678, Leno) to establish the Community Corrections Performance Incentive grant program, commonly referred to as the SB 678 grant program. This report provides (1) background on the program—discussing its goals, funding formula, and modifications; (2) an assessment of the program; and (3) recommended steps to better achieve the goals of the program.
October 2, 2023 - Each year, our office publishes California Spending Plan, a series of publications that summarize the annual state budget. The final version of Overview of the California Spending Plan is presented here along with short online posts that focus on major areas and features of the 2023-24 budget package. As these posts become available, we will add them below.
September 7, 2023 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.
June 23, 2023 - Presented to: Committee on Revision of the Penal Code
May 19, 2023 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to undertake capital outlay projects at San Quentin State Prison (SQ) as a part of a broader effort to develop a more rehabilitative and health-focused model for California prisons, known as the “California Model.” Specifically, we describe the Governor’s proposals, discuss several concerns with the proposals, and provide recommendations to the Legislature.
April 27, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
April 20, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation