Criminal Justice Publications

The 2022-23 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

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January 13, 2022 - On January 10, 2022, Governor Newsom presented his proposed state budget to the Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the proposed budget based on our initial review. In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release several additional budget analyses.

Update (1/21/22): Includes a corrected estimate of Governor’s Budget proposals that are excludable under the State Appropriations Limit (SAL).

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

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October 6, 2021 - This post provides an overview of the major judiciary and criminal justice proposals approved as part of the 2021-22 budget package. The 2021‑22 budget provides $17.3 billion from the General Fund for judicial and criminal justice programs. This is an increase of $2.3 billion (15 percent) above the revised 2020‑21 spending level.

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

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May 17, 2021 - On May 14, 2021, Governor Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature. (This annual proposed revised budget is called the “May Revision.”) In this post, we provide a summary of the Governor’s revised budget, focusing on the overall condition and structure of the state General Fund—the budget’s main operating account. In the coming days, we will analyze the plan in more detail and provide additional comments in hearing testimony and online.

Overview of Criminal Fine and Fee System

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May 13, 2021 - Presented to: Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation Hon. María Elena Durazo, Chair

Overview of State Funding and Audit of CDAA

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May 13, 2021 - Senate Budget Subcommittee No 5. on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation

Overview of State Funding and Audit of CDAA

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April 16, 2021 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No 5. on Public Safety

Resentencing, Diversion, and Reentry Programs

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April 16, 2021 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Public Safety

Improving Parolee Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Medi-Cal

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April 14, 2021 - This report provides background on the ways parolees access substance use disorder treatment (SUDT) through providers who are typically either funded by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or through Medi-Cal (the state’s Medicaid program). It assesses the trade-offs between these two approaches and recommends steps to improve the quality of service and create savings by increasing the utilization of Medi-Cal for parolee SUDT.

The 2021-22 Budget: Authorization of Remote Court Proceedings

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March 12, 2021 - This publication provides our analysis of the Governor's 2021-22 budget proposals to authorize remote court proceedings.

A Review of State Standards and Inspections for Local Detention Facilities

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March 8, 2021 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 On Public Safety Hon. Christina Garcia, Chair

A Review of State Standards and Inspections for Local Detention Facilities

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February 16, 2021 - In this publication, we provide an overview of local detention facilities (such as county jails) in California. We also assess the state’s program for setting minimum facility standards and inspecting these facilities. Finally, we recommend steps to help ensure the success of the program going forward, such as establishing a clear mission and goals for the program and requiring a plan to align the program with this mission and goals.

The 2021-22 Budget: Funding for Trial Court Construction

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February 12, 2021 - This publication provides an overview of the current status of the trial court construction program. It also provides our analysis of the Governor’s 2021-22 budget proposals to consolidate two special funds supporting trial court construction and to fund new court construction projects from the General Fund.

The 2021-22 Budget: Trial Court Operations Proposals

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February 11, 2021 - This publication examines the impacts of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and prior-year reductions on trial court operations. The publication also identifies issues for the Legislature to consider when determining the appropriate level of overall funding for trial court operations in 2021-22 and our analysis of three of the Governor’s major budget proposals for trial court operations.

The 2021-22 Budget: Department of Justice

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February 10, 2021 - This publication provides our analysis of the Governor's 2021-22 January budget proposals related to the support of forensic services and Department of Justice legal services for certain state agencies.

The 2021-22 Budget: Funding for County Probation Departments

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February 2, 2021 - This publication provides our analysis of the Governor’s 2021-22 January budget proposals to provide additional General Fund support for county probation departments including a $10.3 million modification to the grant program created by Chapter 608 of 2009 (SB 678, Leno), a new one-time $50 million grant, and $12.1 million in one-time funding for supervising people released from prison due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).