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 2024-25 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 9, 2024 - As shown in Figure  2, these monies will be transferred to four DOJ special funds —the UCL Fund ($263  million), the FCA Fund ($100  million), the PRLESF ($64  million), and the Antitrust Account ($57  million) —and will be available to support DOJ litigation-related costs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4831

Overview and Update on the Prison Receivership

Nov 8, 2023 - In order to expedite the salary increases that are typically subject to bargaining agreements between the state and a union, the Receiver used executive authority to waive state laws and regulations in 2006 to increase the compensation levels of medical staff between 5  percent and 64  percent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4813

Increasing Oversight of the State Litigation Deposit Fund

Jan 28, 2021 - About $ 64  m illion (or 13  p ercent) comes from special funds including litigation proceeds. The Division of Legal Services is further divided into three subdivisions —Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Public Rights.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4322

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

Feb 8, 2022 - Specifically, the department reports that overdose ‑related deaths declined by 64  percent and overdose ‑related emergencies and hospitalizations declined by 27  percent. We note that it is possible that other factors (such as fewer drugs entering the prisons due to pandemic ‑related restrictions on prison visiting) could have  contributed to the reduction in overdose ‑related deaths, emergencies, and hospitalizations.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4517