Increasing Oversight of the State Litigation Deposit Fund

Jan 28, 2021 - Litigation proceeds are deposited into the LDF in cases where the state is a party to the legal action and no other state statutes specifically provide for ( 1)  t he handling and investing of the money and ( 2)  h ow any earned interest is distributed.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4322

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Sep 7, 2023 - The normal cost is the amount of money that actuaries determine must be set aside for the benefit employees earn today so that the contribution and any future investment returns on that contribution are sufficient to pay for the benefit after the employee retires.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4800

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

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

The 2021-22 Budget: State Correctional Population Outlook

Nov 19, 2020 - For example, Chapter   590 o f 2019 (S B  136 , Wiener) eliminates a one ‑year term added to individuals ’ prison sentences (known as an enhancement) for prior offenses in certain cases. Adult Inmate Population Inmate Population Currently Low Due to COVID ‑19.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4304?utm_source=laowww&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4304

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

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

Assessing Community College Programs at State Prisons

Jul 1, 2024 - Specifically, in 2022 ‑23, 1,808 CCC students at CDCR (12  percent) had earned more than 60  units. Of these students, 418 (2.7  percent) had already earned 100 or more CCC units. Just over 100 of these students had already accumulated 150 or more units.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4913

Improving California’s Prison Inmate Classification System

May 2, 2019 - Specialized Housing Can Affect Inmates ’ Credit Earning Status. In some cases, inmates housed in conservation camps can earn time off of their prison sentence faster than they would if housed elsewhere at Minimum Custody, such as in an MSF.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4023

Overview and Update on the Prison Receivership

Nov 8, 2023 - (See the box below for additional details on this ruling.) Federal Court Orders State to Reduce Prison Overcrowding In November 2006, plaintiffs in the cases now known as Plata v. Newsom (involving prison medical care) and Coleman v.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4813