California Governor
February 19, 2008
Prison Beds, Rehab Delayed
The state corrections agency still hasn't broken ground on new prison bed space, and its plan to redirect the lives of its inmates has come under criticism. Lawmakers say they are frustrated by the delays and wonder if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the federal courts, instead of him, to grant early releases to tens of thousands of inmates to relieve prison overcrowding.
At issue is the rollout of Assembly Bill 900, the state's $7.9 billion plan enacted last May to repair California's faltering prison system. Corrections officials say the plan to add 53,000 beds to the system and tie most of them to new rehabilitation programs is running late, but still working…
LINK - SacBee.com
February 16, 2008
Editorial: “Want to keep parks open? Cut prison spending”
If you need yet another example of how California's expanding prison system is killing other priorities, look at the state parks system. We've reached a point where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for the first time in the state's history, has proposed closing 48 state parks to help solve a $14.5 billion budget deficit.
This includes 17 parks (such as Tomales Bay), 17 historic parks and museums (including Sutter's Fort), three beaches, nine recreation areas (such as the Salton Sea) and two nature reserves (such as Armstrong Redwoods). The gates would close in 2009 and reopen "when the budget improves…"
LINK - SacBee.com
December 9, 2007
Sentencing Laws a Key Reason for Prison Overcrowding
When California adopted its criminal sentencing code 30 years ago, a state appeals court marveled that it was virtually incomprehensible, comparing it to income tax forms and insurance policies…
LINK - ChicoER.com
