Staff
Heather Gonzalez
(916) 319-8359
Emergency Services and Business Regulation
Anita Lee
(916) 319-8321
Courts, Department of Justice, Gambling
Caitlin O'Neil
(916) 319-8351
State Prisons, County Jails, Sentencing
Orlando Sanchez Zavala
(916) 319-8307
Correctional Health Care, Rehabilitation Programs, Juvenile Justice, Community Corrections
Drew Soderborg
(916) 319-8346
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Public Safety and Business Regulation


Publications

Criminal Justice

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



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The 2023-24 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

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.


Report

Achieving the Goals of the SB 678 County Probation Grant Program

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.


Report

The 2023-24 Budget: California Spending Plan Series

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.


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MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

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.


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Overview of Criminal Fine and Fee System and Notable Related Actions

June 23, 2023 - Presented to: Committee on Revision of the Penal Code


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The 2023-24 Budget: May Revision Proposals Related to the California Model and San Quentin State Prison

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.


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Overview of State Funding Provided to Support Legal Assistance for Housing and Evictions

April 27, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation


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Promoting Equity in the Parole Hearing Process

April 20, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation


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Overview of Juvenile Justice System and Education Services in Juvenile Facilities

April 17, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Public Safety


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Wildfire-Related Alert Systems and Technology and the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center

March 28, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Governmental Organization


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Promoting Equity in the Parole Hearing Process

March 27, 2023 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Public Safety


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Analysis of Proposed Additional Resources for DOJ Legal Workload

March 16, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 On Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation


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Analysis of Proposed Additional Resources for DOJ Legal Workload

March 14, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration


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Analysis of Proposed DNA Identification Fund Backfill

March 14, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration


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Governor’s Proposed Funding Increase for Department of Justice Firearm-Related Workload

March 14, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration