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

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Those salary costs would directly increase the state ’s costs for benefits where the employer ’s cost is determined as a percentage of pay (often referred to as “salary ‑driven ” benefits) like employer contributions to pension benefits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Sep 7, 2023 - The high level of interest in the job despite its challenging working conditions likely reflects that, compared with other jobs that have similar education requirements, the state provides correctional officers compet itive salaries and benefits as well as job security.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4800

The 2021-22 Budget: Funding for Inmate Meal Costs [Publication Details]

Feb 2, 2021 - This publication provides our analysis of the Governor’s 2021-22 January budget proposal to support inmate meal costs with a $7.5 million General Fund augmentation as well as savings from vacant plant operations positions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4333

The 2020-21 Budget: Criminal Justice Proposals

Feb 18, 2020 - The requested funding also includes a portion of the salaries for financial aid analysts and the Director of Financial Aid at each CSU campus despite the fact that the inmates would not receive financial aid as their costs would be covered by CDCR.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4164

Overview and Update on the Prison Receivership

Nov 8, 2023 - To reduce the chronic medical vacancies, the Receiver increased salaries across several medical positions to be more competitive and to improve recruitment and retention. In order to expedite the salary increases that are typically subject to bargaining agreements between the state and a union, the Receiver used executive authority to waive state laws and
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4813

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

Jun 12, 2025 - Added Time for Certain Theft or Property Damage Felonies. Chapter  174 of 2024 (S B  1416 , Newman), Chapter  220 of 2024 (A B  1960 , Rivas), and Proposition  36 all added similar language to state law, which allows for increased sentences for people convicted of felonies in which the amount of property that was stolen or damaged is over $50,000,  with longer enhancement terms as the dollar amounts increase.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

The 2024-25 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 22, 2024 - Some jobs assigned to people in prison —such as cleaning, maintaining, and repairing facilities; providing clerical support; and grounds keeping —are focused on supporting prison operations. Other jobs —such as manufacturing traffic signs and license plates —provide goods or services purchased by state agencies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4852

Assessing Community College Programs at State Prisons

Jul 1, 2024 - Under our recommended approach, more individuals are likely to be released from state prison with an associate degree, which in turn could reduce their risk of recidivism and improve their job prospects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4913

The 2025-26 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 12, 2025 - For example, it is unclear whether only excess General Fund backfill monies accumulated from prior years would be considered for transfer, or if General Fund savings from judicial salaries or other areas will be considered.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4959