The 2017-18 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Mar 1, 2017 - This also could have reduced state costs. For example, CalPIA requested $1.8  million from the General Fund in 2016-17 to make repairs at San Quentin State Prison to expand its computer coding program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3595

The 2017-18 Budget: Department of State Hospitals (DSH)

Feb 22, 2017 - According to the administration, having CDCR operate these inpatient psychiatric programs would reduce the amount of time it takes for an inmate to be transferred to a program as only CDCR staff would need to approve referrals for the beds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3578

Improving Parolee Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Medi-Cal

Apr 14, 2021 - This is primarily due to three factors: Referrals Not Based on Medical Necessity. Referrals based on COMPAS Reentry focus on criminogenic need rather than medical necessity. In addition, PSAs have indicated that they do not always rely on COMPAS Reentry and sometimes make referrals to residential SUDT programs
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4411

Achieving the Goals of the SB 678 County Probation Grant Program

Oct 10, 2023 - We  recommend that the new baseline be based on years that fully reflect all of the policy changes that have impacted the county felony supervision failure ‑to ‑prison rate and do not reflect other factors that could have temporarily affected the rate for reasons unrelated to performance (such as the effects of the COVID ‑19 pandemic).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4806

The 2018-19 Budget: Criminal Justice Proposals

Feb 27, 2018 - To ensure that such releases do not occur if the prison population increases unexpectedly, CDCR houses about 2,000 fewer inmates than is allowed under the cap as a “buffer. ” Various Changes Have Allowed State to Comply With Population Cap.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3762

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Sep 7, 2023 - Many local governments still do not prefund the benefit and, instead, make payments on a pay-as-you-go basis after an employee retires. Of the six counties included in the survey, only two indicated that they make contributions towards the benefit during employees ’ careers (the Counties of Sacramento and San Bernardino).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4800

The 2022-23 Budget: Monitoring Correctional System Staff Misconduct Investigations

Feb 9, 2022 - Hiring authorities at CDCR are staff in certain positions —such as wardens —who have the authority to hire and discipline employees. Whenever a hiring authority reasonably believes an employee committed misconduct warranting punitive action (such as salary reduction or dismissal), he or she must submit a referral to the Central Intake Panel (CIP).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4520

The 2024-25 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 23, 2024 - This puts them at a leg al disadvantage compared to those who receive representation or legal advice, as they do not have the legal knowledge or expertise to know how to navigate courts processes. For example, such people may have difficulty identifying, completing, and serving the necessary forms and documents to initiate a case or to respond to an attorney ’s filing.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4848

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Indeed, CDCR has stated that tele ‑mental health positions have been easier to hire since it started expanding tele ‑mental health. Because providers delivering tele ‑mental health services do not have to be physically present at a prison, this means that some of the concerns that accompany being on ‑site are addressed.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

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

Feb 23, 2026 - Because providers delivering tele ‑mental health services do not have to be physically present at a prison, this means that some of the concerns that accompany being on ‑site are mitigated. For example, people working remotely likely do not face the same level of safety concerns, can have more privacy, and do not need to work in dilapidated facilities that may lack air conditioning.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137