Overview of State Correctional Population and Spending Trends [Publication Details]

Mar 18, 2026 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5161

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

Feb 23, 2026 - This reflects a $6  million increase (nearly 1  percent) from the revised 2025 ‑26 level. While this is a modest increase, Figure  7 shows that costs for mental health have increased by over $100  million since 2023 ‑24.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - In combination, as shown in Figure  3 , it makes it likely that at least $21  billion could be needed to complete the list of 80 projects. These costs will likely continue to increase over time due to inflation and various other factors.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - 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 - For example, the 2023-24 budget package included $19.3  million in 2023-24 (decreasing to $6  million annually beginning in 2026-27) —mostly from the DROS Special Account —for the implementation of five pieces of enacted legislation, increased or new baseline workload, and the continuation of FITSM.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118