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 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - In developing this framework, DOJ can evaluate its entire workload, the potential impact of FITSM and other actions that can help improve efficiency, and existing federal and state statu te and case law.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

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

Feb 23, 2026 - Whether the mental health Receivership will follow a similar trajectory depends on various factors such as collaboration between CDCR and Receiver staff, how quickly remedies can be implemented, how effective the Receiver ’s strategies are, and whether the court or Receiver find new problems.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: Estimated State Savings From Proposition 47

Feb 23, 2026 - (Wobblers are crimes that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor.) For example, prior to Proposition  47, possession for personal use of most illegal drugs (such as cocaine or heroin) was a misdemeanor, a wobbler, or a felony —depending on the amount and type of drug.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5108

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - However, certain funds held in the reserve —such as those that are encumbered, designated for statutory purposes, or funds held on a court ’s behalf by Judicial Council for specific projects —are not subject to this cap, meaning they also can generally be carried over.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113