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

Feb 23, 2026 - Recommendations In our report, Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care , we recommend expanding existing efforts in tele ‑mental health in various ways. As such, our recommendations in this section build on our analysis from that report.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - As a result, we recommend the Legislature not provide significant across ‑the ‑board pay increases for mental health staff at prisons in the near term. Instead, we recommend such pay increases be considered only if the other recommendations described below and those initiated by CDCR and the Receiver prove insufficient, or if the Receiver is able
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - We recommend the Legislature modify the Governor ’s proposal to shift $8  million in BOF costs from the DROS Special Account to the General Fund annually through 2028-29. Specifically, we recommend approving this shift for only one year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care [Publication Details]

Feb 23, 2026 - For over three decades, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has faced litigation for providing unconstitutional levels of prison mental health care, in part due to chronic vacancies among mental health staff.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5134