August 26, 2011

Download this week's mp3 file

 

This is CCPOA's 5150 information hotline and today is Friday August 26, 2011.

CCPOA NEWS

CCPOA Training Conference & Convention–  Last week, CCPOA held its 35^th  Annual Training Conference & Convention at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.  Current state president Mike Jimenez was re-elected to another 3-year term by the CCPOA delegates.  Congratulations to Mr. Jimenez and to the other candidates who stepped up with their ideas on how to best move CCPOA forward.

CCPOA Goals– At convention, CCPOA announced an updated list of some of the association’s most pressing goals, including:

                  1.     Implement and defend the 2011 MOU package

            2.    Get “locked in” with the administration and management

            3.    Strengthen Collective Bargaining/ Unit Modification

            4.    2012 Election/Reapportionment/Redistricting

            5.    Protect Pensions

Supervisory Update– CCPOA Supervisory Vice President Kevin Raymond has penned another “Supervisory Update” covering a variety of topics including the MOU, POFF, appointment of Supervisory Committee members, RTB, Dental Benefits and the BFT, as well as information about a fired CDCR lieutenant who sued the department and recently won a $1.67 million judgment against the department.  Please take a few moments to read Mr. Raymond’s letter which is posted on the front page of the CCPOA website.

CDCR NEWS

Inmate Grooming Standards–  CDCR has issued a temporary suspension of its facial hair regulations for inmates as a result of a recently negotiated settlement of a lawsuit filed against the department by Sikh inmates regarding facial hair length restrictions .  CDCR has ordered staff to “Cease enforcement of title 15, Section 3062(h) immediately until further instructed,  and for those inmates who have received a 115 and have filed an appeal on this issue after March, 2011, any lost credits will be restored so long as restoration does not render the inmate overdue for release.  We’ve posted a copy of the memo from CDCR on our website.

CDCR Website Updates– CDCR has launched two new websites accessible from its main webpage.  This week, the department unveiled the “CDCR Employee Layoff Resources” website to provide current information on the department’s plans for downsizing.  The other site is titled, “2011 Public Safety Realignment” and has current information on the department’s progress on transferring many public safety functions from the state to local government.  Both sites are linked on the front page of CDCR’s website.

CAPITOL NEWS

Legislature–  The state legislature returned from its summer recess last week and immediately began to address the hundreds of bills remaining before they adjourn for the year on September 9^th. 

Death Penalty– The legislation that would have asked voters to repeal the death penalty was rejected by the Assembly this week, but it could return in some form over the next weeks.  CCPOA has registered its opposition to this measure, SB 490 and we will keep you updated as the session winds down.

Fire Camps–  This past week, Senator Doug LaMalfa held an informational hearing on the status of inmates at CDCR fire camps.  LaMalfa had called for the hearing because of highly publicized reports of inmates with violent backgrounds sent to the fire camps who escaped and committed new crimes, including the murder of a San Francisco police officer.  CCPOA lobbyist Craig Brown testified before the committee that CDCR had been increasing the number of dangerous inmates being sent to the camps, and that fewer low-level offenders would be available for placement at the camps once the new realignment plan takes full effect.  For more on this, we have linked a news story on our website.

LAO on Pensions– The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a report this week examining proposed ballot measures drafted to reduce public employee pensions, political action by such groups and even the complete elimination of collective bargaining for public employees.  We have posted the analysis on our website so you can read for yourself some of the battles CCPOA is gearing up for on your behalf.

For additional information on private prisons, the latest news on parolee problems and up to date information on current topics, please visit the CCPOA website where we post the information as it comes in.

Thanks for calling the 5150 information hotline and have a safe shift.