News items related to CDCR

Brown’s budget misses opportunity to shrink prison system

Lizzie Buchen, Jan 29, 2015

Despite the lowest crime rate in decades, and recent and potential reductions in the prison population, Brown continues to up prison spending and expand capacity.

CJCJ Statement on Governor Brown’s FY 14-15 Budget Proposal

Brian Goldstein, Jan 14, 2014

On Thursday, January 9, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown released his proposed FY 2014-15 Budget for California. CJCJ applauds the Governor’s willingness to adopt some of the systemic changes necessary for not only meeting the court-ordered prison population cap, but also improving public safety outcomes for all Californians. Yet, we are concerned by a failure to support long-term systemic reforms for improving our criminal justice system and the near absence of juvenile justice policy in his budget. 

Who is in the SHU? The need for reform in prison isolation units

Emily Luhrs, Aug 23, 2011

Demonstrations are taking place at Governors' offices across the country  today in New York, Connecticut, and Illinois in solidarity with those pushing for basic rights and humane conditions within the Security Housing Units (SHU) at the notorious Pelican Bay State Prison, located in the northwestern tip of California.  The conditions of the SHU will be the topic of discussion at today's oversight hearing by California's Assembly Public Safety Committee (listen live at 1:30 pm ). The…

Conditions in California's SHU

Selena Teji, Aug 2, 2011

On July 1, 2011, eleven inmates in the Pelican Bay State Prison Security Housing Unit (SHU) began a hunger strike to protest the egregious conditions of their confinement.  In particular, they objected to the lack of adequate food or programming and the lack of justification for indefinite SHU confinement.  They demanded that CDCR comply with the US Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons 2006 recommendations, and provide conditions comparable to that of solitary confinement units…

We can't just shoot 'em

Mike Males, Dec 22, 2008

California's growing budget crisis and prison lawsuits are focusing more attention on a serious policy question: Are there better ways to reduce crime and treat criminals than by spending $36,000 in taxpayer dollars every year to lock up each low-level property and drug possession offender in state prison? California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reports show the state now imprisons 30,000 offenders sentenced for non-invasion property crimes or simple drug possession, at a cost…

Special Master's Final Report Filed: Investigate Schwarzenegger's Prison Policy Reversal, Union Ties and the Effect on Reform

Aug 1, 2006

Special Master's Final Report Filed: Investigate Schwarzenegger's Prison Policy Reversal, Union Ties and the Effect on Reform

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