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A report released Wednesday by a federal watchdog appointed to oversee California prison reforms says the Schwarzenegger administration is backpedaling on needed changes, a course that prompted the resignations of two corrections secretaries in quick succession this year.
''A recent series of events signals an abrupt reversal of policy by the governor's office, a retreat from prison reform,'' wrote John Hagar, the special master who reports to U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson.
The change in course prompted Hagar to write the 34-page report and schedule a hearing for July 12 at the federal courthouse in San Francisco. He recommended that Henderson order a further investigation with public hearings conducted by Hagar to determine if reforms have been so undermined that the judge needs to step in with more federal oversight.
Henderson has seized control of the state's inmate health care system, while taking other steps to force an end to what Hagar called a ''code of silence'' among prison guards that punished whistle-blowers and protected wrongdoers.
The state's investigations of inmate abuse and neglect ''changed for the better in dramatic fashion'' after Schwarzenegger's election in 2003, Hagar wrote in a draft report that praised former Corrections Secretary Roderick Hickman.
Improving investigations|
Schwarzenegger beefed up an inspector general's office that he initially wanted to eliminate, while Hickman banned the code of silence. Hickman significantly improved internal investigations and discipline during what Hagar called ''one of the most productive periods of prison reform in California history.''
But Hickman quit in February, saying he was frustrated with a lack of support in the administration and with the powerful role played by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the union representing prison guards.
His replacement, prison veteran Jeanne Woodford, abruptly announced her retirement in April after learning that her choice to head bargaining with the guards' union had been rejected by the administration after meetings with the prison guards' union, Hagar said.
Hagar blames Schwarzenegger's appointment of Susan Kennedy as his new chief of staff for a return to former Gov. Gray Davis' ''practice of allowing the CCPOA to overrule the most critical decisions of the (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) secretary.''
Kennedy, a Democrat and Davis' former cabinet secretary, was appointed as part of an administration shake-up after last fall's special election. She has sought a rapprochement with state employees' unions as Schwarzenegger seeks re-election in November.
''The top-ranking leadership of CDCR is confused, understaffed, dispirited, and most important, uncertain who is really in charge: the acting secretary or the president of the CCPOA,'' Hagar wrote.
James Tilton is the correction department's acting secretary.
Lines of communication|
Schwarzenegger Press Secretary Margita Thompson said top-level talks with guards' representatives are similar to negotiations with Democrats, teachers unions and others who have opposed the administration's policies.
''The governor believes it is irresponsible and ineffective to solve our prison crisis without communicating with every party involved,'' she said in a statement. ''Much remains to be done, but only by having open lines of communication can we see the reforms through to completion.''
Union spokesman Lance Corcoran said Schwarzenegger has been reaching out to all state unions, including the prison guards.
''But we have not had any influence on appointments beyond our normal objections to people we do not feel have needed leadership qualities,'' he said, adding that included Hickman and Woodford.
Contrary to Hagar's findings, neither imposed significant reforms, Corcoran said.
Hagar's report also notes that turnover is so high among prison wardens and health care managers that they are often unable to impose proper discipline. As a result, the state may need to hire more internal affairs investigators and lawyers than had been anticipated.
He also recommended the state hire more investigators and should retrain others who work too slowly on employee discipline cases.
Hagar will monitor the prison discipline system until January 2008, when he will issue another progress report.
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