State Corrections: Response to COVID-19

May 8, 2020 - However, CDCR has taken steps to reduce costs and expand access to other forms of external communication for inmates such as phone calls and e-mails. Screening of Individuals Authorized to Enter Prisons.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4229

Improving California’s Prison Inmate Classification System

May 2, 2019 - In our view, the researchers should develop the methodology by ( 1)  u sing recent data and outcome variables that capture only misconduct that justifies additional security resources and/or ( 2)  u sing a methodology that gives weight to different types of misconduct based on severity.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4023

The 2022-23 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

Sep 26, 2022 - . $19.5 million in 2022-23 (decreasing to $1.4 million in 2023-24 and ongoing) to develop an IT system for centrally storing records —including e ‑mails, personnel files, video, and audio recordings —which CDCR may be required to release under various circumstances, such as pursuant to the California Public Records Act or due to litigation. $12.6 million in 2022-23 (increasing to
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4625

The 2022-23 Budget: Governor's Proposals for CDCR Operations

Feb 8, 2022 - In correspondence courses, inmates receive their lessons and assignments in packets that are delivered through the mail. Through in ‑person and correspondence courses, many inmates obtain associate ’s degrees.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4517

Assessing Community College Programs at State Prisons

Jul 1, 2024 - This year, several community colleges that are large providers of correspondence courses are piloting a form of online instruction in place of the traditional paper ‑and ‑mail model. For example, Lake Tahoe Community College is piloting an online synchronous (live) format in which students and faculty can communicate through videoconferencing and submit assignments online.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4913

Improving Parolee Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Medi-Cal

Apr 14, 2021 - Specifically, we recommend that the Legislature ( 1)  d irect CDCR to refer all parolees to medically appropriate SUDT, ( 2)  r equire STOP providers to provide parolees with Medi ‑Cal ‑funded SUDT, ( 3)  s tructure funding for parolee SUDT to streamline billing and reduce workload, and ( 4)  u se a portion of freed ‑up funding to ensure costs are not shifted to counties and nonreimbursable services for parolees are maintained.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4411

The 2019-20 Budget: Reorganization of the Division of Juvenile Justice

Apr 10, 2019 - Given the complexities of the issues involved in a government reorganization, the proposal could also result in u nintended consequences that merit consideration. In particular, as we discuss below, the proposed reorganization of DJJ could complicate coordination with CDCR and potentially disrupt existing services for youth offenders.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3998

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

Mar 1, 2017 - In a 2015 special review of HDSP, the OIG highlighted several areas of concern, including staff intentionally endangering inmates by disclosing their sex offender status to other inmates and staff tampering with inmate appeals and mail.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3595

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

Feb 16, 2023 - For  example, in fall 2016, a court monitoring team documented numerous allegations of officer misconduct, including physical abuse, denial of food, verbal abuse, tampering with mail and property, inappropriate response to suicide attempts or ideation, and retaliation for reporting misconduct.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4686

The 2018-19 Budget: Criminal Justice Proposals

Feb 27, 2018 - The allegations included physical abuse, denial of food, verbal abuse, tampering with mail and property, inappropriate response to suicide attempts or ideation, and retaliation for reporting misconduct.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3762