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 - When and how this loan would be repaid could be considered as part of the Legislatur e ’s deliberations on how to support firearm-related workload on an ongoing basis. Such an action would ensure that existing BOF operations are maintained while the Legislature weighs its options for how to support firearm-related workload moving forward.
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