Increasing Oversight of the State Litigation Deposit Fund

Jan 28, 2021 - In certain cases, DOJ may choose to work with other litigants, such as other states or district at torneys. This can also impact how and when the case is pursued as agreement from all parties is generally required.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4322

Assessing Community College Programs at State Prisons

Jul 1, 2024 - We did not hear the same level of challenges from colleges that provide instruction via correspondence education. Several Colleges Are Piloting Online Models That Appear Promising. With the recent distribution of laptops to students, community colleges and CDCR have an opportunity to rethink how instruction is delivered to students from a distance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4913

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Sep 7, 2023 - The actual cost will depend on how many employees cash out leave and how much leave they choose to cash out. Provisions From Past Agreements Not Included No Reopener if Other Units Get Higher Pay Increases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4800

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - For example, CDCR psychologists, according to the state Auditor, earn between $56 and $85 per hour —well above the average hourly rate paid in other states. According to 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is the highest paying state for psychologists with the average hourly wage at $64 per hour, whereas psychologists nationwide earned a median of $53 per hour (21  percent less).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

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

Jun 12, 2025 - For example, in May 2021, CDCR modified its regulations to allow people with convictions for violent crimes to earn up to 33.3  percent off of their sentence (an increase from 20  percent) for maintaining good behavior.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

The 2017‑18 Budget: Implementation of Proposition 57

Apr 6, 2017 - The measure states that these changes are intended to protect public safety, save money by reducing spending on prisons, prevent federal courts from releasing inmates, and reduce recidivism through rehabilitation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3648

The 2021-22 Budget: State Correctional Population Outlook

Nov 19, 2020 - For example, the department increased the maximum amount of time most violent offenders can earn off their sentences for good behavior from 15 p ercent to 20  p ercent. In addition, at the time of the Governor ’s May Revision for 2020 ‑21, CDCR announced plans to further reduce certain inmates ’ prison terms through credits inmates earn for good behavior.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4304?utm_source=laowww&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4304

The 2020-21 Budget: Effectively Managing State Prison Infrastructure

Feb 28, 2020 - (The IWL program hires inmates to work on infrastructure projects at its prisons. These inmates earn between $0.35 and $1. 00 p er hour and learn various skills, such as roofing or building foundation pads, depending on the nature of the project.)  
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4186

The 2024-25 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 9, 2024 - The LDF is a state special fund that receives litigation proceeds —or monies required by settlement agreements or court judgements to resolve legal cases —in cases where the state is a party to the case and no other state law specifically provides for (1)  the handling and investing of the money and (2)  how any earned interest is distributed.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4831

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

May 17, 2021 - While there was little precedent to work from, revenues were expected to fall sharply. The Legislature took $54  billion in actions to address that problem (for example, it withdrew funds from reserves, shifted costs, reduced spending, and increased revenues).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432