Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - In July and August 2025, SQRC ’s vacancy rate was 0   percent —well under the court ‑ordered 10  percent vacancy rate. During a site visit in July 2025, SQRC staff noted that retention was high at the prison, and that new applicants have had to be placed on the waitlist because of how well staffed the prison is.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - In April 2020, the Judicial Council (the policymaking and governing body of the judicial branch) adopted a statewide emergency bail schedule that set bail for arrestees at $0 for most misdemeanors and low ‑level felonies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - The DROS Special Account is the primary special fund supporting BOF activities. This is because it receives the most fee revenue. Additionally, the statutorily permissible uses of the fund are quite broad.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - Adding More Licensing Exemptions for Those Who Work at Prisons. Currently, providers with out ‑of ‑state licenses are required to obtain a California license to work in CDCR, though some may use their out ‑of ‑state license on a temporary basis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Justice Budget Proposals

Feb 23, 2023 - As such, it would be reasonable to provide the requested funding to support this workload on the assumption that all fu nding provided for legal activities is currently used efficiently and effectively.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4701

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - Currently, the fund remains insolvent and is estimated to require a General Fund backfill in the tens of millions of dollars annually through 2036 ‑37 to maintain existing facility ‑related activities and to pay the debt service for completed construction  projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 19, 2025 - For example, one potential funding option discussed in the report was to increase the specific fee added when individuals are convicted of criminal offenses which generates the revenue deposited into the DNA Identification Fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4972

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

Oct 24, 2025 - As a result of the activation, the 34 unlicensed beds currently operated at CIM would be deactivated and the $16.4  million General Fund currently supporting these beds would be shifted to staff the new facility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5085

The 2025-26 Budget: Update on Implementation of New Firearm and Ammunition Tax

Feb 19, 2025 - Subject to Legislative Appropriation $50.0 CDE Program or activities (such as physical security improvements and school ‑based mental health services) addressing risk factors for gun violence affecting K ‑12 students. 3 15.0 JC Court ‑based firearm relinquishment grant program to facilitate removal of firearms and ammunition from individuals who become prohibited from owning or
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4970

State Correctional Spending Increased Despite Significant Population Reductions

Feb 4, 2020 - For example, the number of health care positions per inmate has nearly doubled —from 0. 06 i n 2010 ‑ 11 t o 0. 11 i n 2018 ‑19 (the most recent complete data available). We note, however, that the number of non ‑health care staff declined over the same time period.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4145