LAO 2007-08 Budget Analysis: Judicial/Criminal Justice Issue-By-Issue TOC
Analysis of the 2007-08 Budget Bill
Judicial/Criminal Justice Issue-By-Issue Contents
Overview
Expenditure Proposal and Trends
Spending by Major Program
Major Budget Changes
Departmental Issues
Judicial Branch (0250)
Courthouse Bond Proposal Deserves Close Scrutiny
Background
Governor’s Budget Proposal
Both Components of Courthouse Package Raise Concerns
Analyst’s Recommendations
New Commitment to Legal Aid Program Raises Concerns
Background
Analyst’s Concerns
Analyst’s Recommendation
Administrative Budget Issues
Inflationary Adjustments for Court Facility Maintenance Should Be Updated
Technical Adjustment Recommended for State Appropriations Limit Increases
Server Costs Not Justified
Department of Justice (0820)
An Update on the Implementation of Proposition 69
Implementing Proposition 69: Progress and Problems
Background
How Proposition 69 Changed State Law
Program Faces Revenue Shortfall and High Staff Turnover
Issues for Legislative Consideration
Proposition 69 Program: The Governor’s 2007-08 Budget Plan
Budget Proposal
Proposal Has Unrealistic Estimates and Delegates Legislative Authority
Analyst’s Recommendations
Administrative Budget Issues
Reducing Pay Differentials Could Create Recruitment and Cost Issues
Correctional Writs and Appeals Workload Overstated
Department of Mental Health Workload Estimate Could Change
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (5225)
Budget Overview
Proposed CDCR Operations Budget
Current-Year Operating Deficiency
Capital Outlay Budget Proposal
Department Has Not Provided Reports to Legislature
Adult Corrections
Who Is in Prison?
Inmate and Parole Population Management Issues
Inmate Population Projected to Increase
Caseload Will Likely Require Further Adjustment
Governor’s Prison Overcrowding Package Is More Balanced But Too Big
Background
Inmates Housed by Security Levels
Current Prison Overcrowding
What Do Prison Experts Mean by “Overcrowding?”
Inmate Population Projected to Grow, Exacerbating Overcrowded Conditions
Administration’s New Package to Address Overcrowding
How Do the Governor’s Proposals Work Overall as a Package?
Proposal Has Some Benefits
Proposal Would Result in Large Surplus of Prison Beds
Plan Provides Wrong Mix of Beds
Future Operating Costs for Facilities Not Identified
Timing of Overcrowding Relief Important for Legislature to Consider
Analyst’s Recommendations: Reduce Overbuilding and Provide the Right Mix of Beds
The Governor’s Capacity Package: A Look at the Details
Infill Housing and Infrastructure Improvements at Existing Prisons
Reentry Facilities
Female Rehabilitative Community Correctional Centers
Out-of-State Transfers
Elimination of Diagnostic Services for Counties
Changes to Parole Discharge Policies
Shift of Adult Offenders to Jail
Local Jail Expansion
Condemned Inmate Complex at San Quentin
New Training Academy
Sentencing Commission
Conclusion
The California Prison Receivership: An Update
Background
How Receivers and Special Masters Differ
Where Are We Now? A Status Report on the Receiver’s Actions
The 2007-08 Budget Proposal for Plata Activities
Funding Provided for Receiver in 2006-07
2007-08 Budget Plan Requests Relating to the Plata Case
State Faces Significant Fiscal Uncertainties Over Plata Actions
Analyst’s Recommendations
Reconciling the Roles of the Receiver and the Legislature
LAO Recommendations on 2007-08 Budget Proposals
Legislature Has a Key Oversight and Reform Role In Prison Medical Care
Enhancing Public Safety by Increasing Parolee Employment
Importance of Parolee Employment
Current Employment-Related Programs
Budget Proposes General Fund to Replace Federal Funds
Shortcomings of Current Programs
Capacity of Existing Programs Too Limited
Evaluation Limitations Hamper Strategic Approach
“Mix” of Programs to Reduce Unemployment Not Most Cost-Effective
Funding Structure of PJP Does Not Provide Incentives for Good Performance
Department Could Improve Casework
Opportunities Exist to Increase Parolee Employment
Reject Proposal to Replace WIA Funds With General Fund
Target Funding to Most Cost-Effective Programs
Consider Other Employment Assistance Models
Require Department to Track Employment and Program Outcomes
Improve Funding Process for Job Referral Programs
The CDCR Should Improve Policies and Procedures
Conclusion
The State Has Inadequately Maintained Its Major Investment in Prison Infrastructure
Background
State Prison Facility Maintenance Lagging
Special Factors Aggravating CDCR Maintenance Workload
Responsibilities for Maintenance Not Well-Managed or Well-Organized
Analyst’s Recommendations
Sex Offender Proposals Generally Consistent With New Laws, But More Detail Required
Background
Governor’s Budget Proposals
LAO Assessment of the Governor’s Proposals
LAO Recommendations
Other Correctional Program Issues
Action on Three Health Proposals Would Be Premature
Additional Costs as Prison Pay Surges
Juvenile Justice
Who Is in the Division of Juvenile Justice?
Population Issues
Institutional Population May Be Overstated
Population Shift Warranted, But Construction Funding Not Justified
Background
Governor’s Budget Proposals
Moving Juvenile Offenders Back to Their Community
Analyst’s Recommendations
Creating a New Juvenile Facilities State Grant Program
Justification Not Provided for 5,000 Beds
Analyst’s Recommendation
Local Assistance Programs
New Probation Program Funding Should Be Reduced and Redirected
Background
Analyst’s Concerns: Too Much Program, Too Soon
Analyst’s Recommendations
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