Promoting Equity in the Parole Hearing Process

Jan 5, 2023 - Currently, commissioners can deny parole if they can point to any evidence —even if based on subjective determination —that a candidate may pose a current risk of dangerousness. We recommend that the Legislature consider changing statute to reduce this discretion somewhat, such as by increasing the standard that commissioners must meet to deny parole.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4658

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - The decision included the following footnote: “Because any permitting scheme can be put towards abusive ends, we do not rule out constitutional challenges to shall-issue regimes where, for example, lengthy wait times in processing license applications or exorbitant fees deny ordinary citizens their right to public carry. ” This footnote suggests that there may be a point where firearm regulatory fees become unconstitutionally high.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - To the extent the mental health Receiver denies a plan to deactivate excess bed capacity, we recommend the Legislature request from the Receiver what criteria, threshold, or buffer the state would have to achieve in order to deactivate some, if not all, of the excess capacity and direct CDCR to make changes  accordingly.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

State Corrections: Response to COVID-19

May 8, 2020 - On April 4, 2020, the three-judge panel denied the plaintiffs ’ requests on the procedural grounds that they must first pursue relief in a single-judge court, such as the Plata or Coleman courts. The plaintiffs subsequently filed requests in both the Plata and Coleman courts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4229

The 2017-18 Budget: Federal Receiver for Inmate Medical Services

Mar 3, 2017 - Appeals that are not denied, referred to a health care discipline, or withdrawn, move to the next stage of the process. Clinical Review. This stage of the process is essentially the same as the above administrative review except that it is done by a clinical staff member (typically a registered nurse) rather than a nonclinical staff member.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3601

The 2023-24 Budget: Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training—Office of Administrative Hearing Costs

Feb 13, 2023 - As of January 2023, POST had filled roughly one-third of its 16 positions in the Intake and Disposition bureau, which is responsible for analyzing and evaluating complaints received from the public and serious misconduct allegations received from l aw enforcement agencies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4677

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Sep 7, 2023 - Under federal l aw, state and local government employers may continue to exclude some employees from Social Security coverage, but only if those employees are enrolled in a retirement plan that meets federal regulations requiring at least a specified level of benefits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4800

Improving Parolee Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Medi-Cal

Apr 14, 2021 - Of the 29,900 applications submitted, about 24,000 ( 80  p ercent) were approved, 90 (less than 1  p ercent) were denied, and the remaining 5,700 ( 19  p ercent) were pending at the time of  release.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4411

A Review of State Standards and Inspections for Local Detention Facilities

Feb 16, 2021 - For example, a jail ’s policy regarding external visitors may outline when staff can deny or terminate a visit, such as if the visitor is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Ultimately, sheriffs —who have broad and direct authority over facility operations —and county boards of supervisors —who allocate funding to sheriffs —are responsible for conditions inside county ‑operated detention facilities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4371

The 2023-24 Budget: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 16, 2023 - This brief provides our analysis of the Governor’s 2023-24 budget proposals related to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4686