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March 2, 2007
Dog & Pony Show Tours California

Today, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary James Tilton began the first in a series of statewide prison tours, which, according to CDCR's press release, is designed:

To discuss the overcrowding crisis in California's prison system, and the urgent need for passage of the comprehensive package of reforms proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Avenal is currently the most populated and most overcrowded prison in the State.

Interestingly, CSP-Los Angeles (Lancaster) was selected as the first stop on the prison promotion tour. While the Department is publicly advocating for reform and rehabilitation as its centerpiece for improving California's prison system, it quietly dismantles programs designed to accomplish that mission.

Last summer, during the governor's failed special legislative session, Secretary Tilton testified before the Legislature complaining that he cannot provide effective rehabilitative programming for inmates because there's not enough programming space.

So what does Tilton do about it? You have three guesses:
(a) Build more programming space?
(b) Hire additional teachers and increase the number of available classes?
or
(c) Shut down even more inmate programs and convert the space for use as a reception center?

Answer below.

The Lancaster prison has been the site, according to media reports, of the successful "Honor Yard" program which provides incentives and additional programming to inmates who voluntarily comply with strict behavioral guidelines. However, the Department, in its wisdom, has decided that the effective "Honor Yard" program must be abolished and the space converted for use as another reception center.

While few would argue against the need for additional reception center beds, gutting a program that has been lauded by the media and the Legislature may not be wisest place to begin. One would think that the bureaucrats at 1515 S Street in Sacramento might have been able to come up a better plan.

Legislative leaders are already balking at this proposal and have recently met with Secretary Tilton to voice their displeasure with the Honor Yard elimination.

Despite all the rhetoric, and the new business cards, rehabilitation remains an afterthought at CDC.

Secretary Tilton's dog-and-pony arrives at Avenal State Prison on Tuesday, March 6.

February 27, 2007
"From Sentencing to Incarceration to Release: A Blueprint for Reforming California's Prison System"

This is CCPOA's position paper designed to assist policy makers in generating dialogue and action to address the prison problems in our state.

"California's prison overcrowding crisis has reached the boiling point. A system designed for approximately 80,000 inmates is now bursting with more than 170,000. Prisoners are double-and-triple bunked in many facilities. Gymnasiums and classrooms are being used for emergency housing. Staff shortages make adequate inmate oversight and implementation of rehabilitation programs impossible. Prison health care is in the hands of a federal receiver and the rest of the prison system faces potential federal takeover - which could result in forced releases of inmates, required expenditures of additional billions of state dollars, or both."
Full Document in .pdf format (2.75mb)

February 27, 2007
Executive Summary: Blueprint for Reforming California's Prison System

California's prison overcrowding crisis has reached the boiling point. A system designed for approximately 80,000 is now bursting with more than 170,000.

Overcrowding and staff shortages make adequate inmate oversight and implementation of rehabilitation programs impossible.

Prison healthcare is already in the hands of a federal receiver and the rest of the prison system faces potential federal takeover - which could result in forced releases of inmates, required expenditures of additional billions of state dollars, or both.
Summary Document in .pdf format (2-pages)

February 27, 2007
Managing Prison Violence

In "Managing Prison Violence: Perceptions of Safety Among California Correctional Officers," new survey highlights describe how working conditions, training, management and job dangers are viewed by the men and women who work the "Toughest Beat in the State."

Preliminary findings from a survey of 5,775 California correctional officers, conducted April to October 2006:

72% of respondents believe that there are not enough staff working to provide for the safety and security of inmates - and 77% believe there are not enough staff working to provide for the safety and security of staff.
85% of correctional officers felt that staff members were either likely or very likely to be assaulted at their institution - and 53% reported that they do not feel safe when on the job.
Officers reported roughly 7,412 total assaults during the last six months - a figure 2.5 times higher than official CDCR data for the entire year of 2004.
27% of officers indicated they do not receive the kind of training they need to keep themselves safe on the job - and 29% feel they do not receive the kind of training they need to perform their job well.
23% reported that clear guidelines for when the use of non-lethal force is appropriate have not been communicated - and 22% have not received clear guidelines on when the use of lethal force is appropriate.

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