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February 3, 2010
Contracting Practices for Private Community Correctional Facilities, CDC
From the Introduction section of the Auditor's report:
In 1965, to provide needed housing, supervision, counseling, and other correctional programs for inmates committed to its institutions, state law authorized the department to establish, operate, and contract for "community correctional centers," commonly referred to as CCFs. The Community Correctional Facilities Administration, within the Institutions Division of the department, administers support functions, such as developing and processing CCF contracts. The department's Office of Contract Services also participates in contract matters, such as the administration of the original contract and any amendments.
March 14, 2008
Suit alleges San Quentin inmate died due to poor medical care
The mother of a San Quentin State Prison inmate has filed suit alleging that her son died in 2006 because he received inadequate care for his diabetes. "I can't get over the feeling that my son was essentially murdered by the prison system," said Christine Goodwin of Modesto.
Her son, Scott Fitzgerald, who was in custody at San Quentin due to a parole violation following a battery conviction, died Sept. 12, 2006, after being taken by ambulance to Marin General Hospital. Fitzgerald was 34 when he died.
The suit pending in U.S. District Court in San Francisco names San Quentin Warden Robert Ayers, other prison personnel and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as defendants.
LINK - MarinIJ.com (Marin Independent Journal)
March 11, 2008
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer: “Rehabilitate, don’t just release inmates”
Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and I stood side by side to reform California's prison system. Together, we toured overcrowded prisons throughout the state and came to the same conclusion: California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation must be reformed, and inmates need better rehabilitation programs before they are released back into society.
At the time, the governor said that "we must follow through on the rehabilitation programs that we need to make sure that inmates who get released can lead productive, law-abiding lives so that our communities will stay safe."
LINK - SacBee.com (The Sacramento Bee)
February 25, 2008
Hawaii inmates on lockdown in AZ private prison
Hawai'i inmates at the Red Rock Correctional Center in Arizona have been locked down for 10 days during a top-to-bottom shakedown of the prison prompted by two recent drug overdoses of Alaska inmates, according to the Hawai'i Department of Public Safety. About 65 Hawai'i inmates are housed at the private prison, but are kept separate from the Alaska prisoners, said Public Safety Deputy Director Tommy Johnson.
Teams provided by prison owner Corrections Corporation of America used drug dogs as part of the search of all staff, program, recreational, medical, kitchen and living areas. Investigators discovered three grams of black tar heroin and a list detailing prices within the prison for cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs, Johnson said.
LINK - HonoluluAdvertiser.com
February 21, 2008
Governor Appoints New Staff to BPH and DPA
Arthur Anderson Jr., 60, of Roseville, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Since 2000, he has been a law enforcement consultant for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2004 to 2007, Anderson served as assistant commissioner for field operations at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and, from 2001 to 2004, was the chief of
the valley division for CHP. From 2000 to 2001, he was chief of the professional standards division at CHP and, from 1999 to 2000, was assistant chief of the Golden Gate division at CHP. Prior to that, Anderson was director of the California Office of Traffic Safety from 1993 to 1999. From 1974 to 1992, he served in various other positions with CHP including captain commander, lieutenant, sergeant and patrol officer. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $111,845. Anderson is a Republican.
Randy Fisher, 43, of Elk Grove, has been appointed senior labor relations officer for the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA). Since December 2007, he has been on limited term assignment as labor relations manager II at DPA. From 2004 to 2007, Fisher served as labor relations manager at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and, from 2001 to 2004, was senior labor relations officer at DPA. Prior to that, he was labor relations manager I at the Department of Education from 1997 to 2001 and labor relations specialist at the Department of Food and Agriculture from 1995 to 1997. From 1993 to 1995, Fisher was labor relations analyst at the Department of Health Services and, from 1988 to 1993, was senior labor relations representative at the San Joaquin Public Employees Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $90,060. Fisher is a Republican.
See the FULL LIST of appointments for February 20, 2008 at gov.ca.gov
February 21, 2008
Minnesota: Governor Freezes State Hiring
It's not just in California…
Gov. Tim Pawlenty implemented a hiring freeze Tuesday amid expectations that the state budget deficit will grow. "Considering the current economic slowdown, it is important that state government take steps to rein in costs, utilize technology and improve productivity just as private businesses, non-profits and families are doing," Pawlenty wrote to his commissioners and state board executive directors.
In late November, a state report predicted a $373 million deficit during the current two-year budget. However, more recent reports indicate that the deficit will grow, perhaps dramatically. The next report is due Feb. 28. The governor's letter says he will allow agencies to fill some job openings, such as for prison guards and other public safety workers…
LINK - Republican-Eagle.com
February 20, 2008
Assemblyman Bill Maze: “Summary parole is a bad budget idea.”
Protecting citizens from those who seek to do harm is not only a legitimate role of government, it's the primary role. As an elected member of the State Assembly, I have a bird's eye view of how the Legislature works and can attest that oftentimes, we miss the mark.
As a case in point, I am deeply troubled that our public safety could be threatened under a dangerous plan proposed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that would create a new category of prisoner release called "summary parole." Under this plan, parolees would no longer be supervised or tracked by parole officers, nor could they be sent back to prison for violating the terms of their parole, such as abusing drugs or obtaining deadly weapons…
LINK - VisaliaTimesDelta.com
February 20, 2008
Van Tran: “Keep watch on paroled felons”
Like food and shelter, being safe from crime is a basic necessity. All the opportunity, happiness and prosperity in the world is meaningless if you can't take a walk in your neighborhood or feel safe at home. Public safety has always been my top priority in Sacramento. I've strongly supported protections like Jessica's Law, Megan's Law and Three Strikes, to keep criminals locked up where they belong and protect Orange County families.
But under a dangerous proposal by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a new category of parole called "summary parole," our safety could be at risk. Under the proposal, felons convicted of any number of serious crimes would no longer be supervised by law enforcement while they are on parole…
LINK - OCRegister.com
February 13, 2008
Oklahoma: D.O.C. Begs for More
The Department of Corrections says in order to function they need about $580 million for the next fiscal year. That's not even including a request for a bond of more than $300 million dollars. With constant underfunding during even good budget years, it's left the D.O.C. with no choice but to beg. "I say begging because that's where I'm at," says Lt. William Weldon with Joseph Harp Correctional Center. "I'm begging for assistance. I'm asking for help. Someone's got to do something…"
LINK - KSBITV.com
February 5, 2008
Wardens Awaiting Prisoner Early Release News
A pair of local wardens is awaiting news of how their operations could be affected if a proposed early release of state-prison inmates comes about. A target in a pair of lawsuits, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been in receivers-ship since 2006, run by an appointee of a federal court. Each suit charges unconstitutional shortcomings in prison medical car because of overcrowding. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent budget-cut proposal includes 10 percent taken from the corrections-rehabilitation department…
LINK - FolsomTelegraph.com
January 30, 2008
Pop-Up “Insta Prisons” for Hawaii?
State prison officials hope to use federal money to build new tentlike structures to house up to 448 prison inmates on Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island to ease overcrowding in state prisons and jails. The housing would be 7,064-square-foot "Sprung Instant Structures" made from a membrane stretched over an aluminum skeleton. Each structure could house up to 64 inmates, according to a letter from Gov. Linda Lingle to federal authorities…
LINK - HonoluluAdvertiser.com
January 17, 2008
Florida: When the Rich Pay No Taxes
Web Editor's Note: PAY ATTENTION CALIFORNIA! - Jeb Bush tried to privatize all things profitable and make the people assume all risk associated with investment. His program gave a leg up to charter schools and turned elements of the state's water supply, public roads and social services over to wealthy investors. The lynchpin of his healthcare agenda was to turn Medicaid into a private managed health care system. That program was piloted in five counties and has failed miserably. The Department of Children and Families was turned into a massive private gamble that money could be made off Florida's most vulnerable children…
LINK - CounterPunch.org
January 16, 2008
Fresno County to Fight Early Inmate Release
Supervisors are worried about increased costs for jails, courts and the sheriff in a county that has had its own jail crowding problems. "We need to send a message loud and clear that we will not accept prisoners back into the county," Supervisor Henry Perea said. "At some point the bad guys are going to figure out there's no consequences," he added. "That's not good for the county…"
LINK - FresnoBee.com
January 12, 2008
Drastic Budget Cuts Headed for California
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association spokesman Ryan Sherman said the prison system can't afford job cuts, in fact he said they need more officers. "Our correctional officers being are required to work over time three to four times a week, we are dangerously under staffed," said Sherman…
LINK - KCRA.com
January 12, 2008
Secretary James Tilton Release Statement on Proposed Budget
"Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a fiscal emergency, and directed all state agencies to cut ten percent from their budgets. All corrections' spending must be 'on the table' in order to accomplish a ten percent reduction. Over 70 percent of this agency's budget costs come from the salaries of over 60,000 employees, most of whom are custody staff that supervise inmates and parolees. You can't achieve ten percent cuts to Corrections' budget unless you reduce population, followed by a corresponding drop in staff…"
LINK - CDCR.CA.gov
January 11, 2008
Oklahoma: DOC Changes Inmate Phone Policy; Reduces Rates
During a meeting yesterday at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center, the state Board of Corrections learned that inmates now can call anywhere in the nation for a charge of about $3.60 for a 15-minute call, with no connection fee. DOC spokesman Jerry Massie says that before the change, such a call cost about $7 with a connection fee…
LINK - KSWO.com
January 11, 2008
Governor’s New Budget Proposes Deep Cuts
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget, released Thursday would close a projected $14 billion gap by giving schools 10 percent less money, releasing 22,000 inmates early and closing dozens of state parks… [LINK]
Related Stories:
- Cuts Across the Board; No Increase
- KESQ.com - Governor's Budget Slashes Education, Releases Prisoners
- San Diego Union-Tribune - Deep Budget Cuts
- Mercury News - Governor proposes deep education, park cuts
January 10, 2008
North Dakota: New Look for Prison?
The proposed new prison includes 36.2 acres of fenced-in space, podular units to house inmates and a separate minimum security facility outside the fence line. It is being designed to accommodate 1,000 beds by 2017 and could include features such as better lines of sight for guards, a tunnel system to more easily get from building to building during winter and an environmentally green design…
LINK - BismarckTribune.com
January 9, 2008
Folsom Prison Blues: Cash Tribute Scrapped
California corrections officials have cancelled Sunday's tentatively-scheduled 40-year anniversary concert celebrating Johnny Cash's fabled appearance at Folsom State Prison. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Oscar Hidalgo said today that a disagreement between prison officials and the concert's producer over local media attending the show could not be resolved and that the state called off the show amid concerns over "safety and security…
LINK - SacBee.com
Original concert announcement story from SacBee.com 1/7/08 - LINK
January 8, 2008
Oklahoma: Lawmaker Proposes Inmate Fees
A state lawmaker wants to levy a $2-a-day fee for prisoners imported from other states to private prisons in Oklahoma. Rep. Brian Renegar, D-McAlester, said there are 4,375 out-of-state inmates now imprisoned in Oklahoma. Renegar said the inmates come at a cost to taxpayers for food stamps and other benefits paid to families of inmates relocated to the state…
LINK - Chron.com
December 27, 2007
Virginia: Prison Search Reveals Cell Phones
A surprise shakedown this month at Virginia's only private prison turned up a half-dozen cell phones. Larry Traylor, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Corrections, could not provide details yesterday but confirmed the phones were discovered during an unannounced search by state officials at the Lawrenceville Correctional Center on Dec. 7…
LINK - InRich.com
December 7, 2007
Warden Leaves Ione Prison
Mule Creek State Prison got a new warden this week, with the promotion of Warden Richard Subia to a higher post in the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In his new job, Subia will be the associate director for general population, with oversight over Level II and III prisoners at nine prisons. He will also oversee the state's 41 fire camps and 12 community correctional facilities…
LINK - Ledger-Dispatch.com
October 15, 2007
Inmates Return to Alabama
Alabamians should applaud the Department of Corrections for bringing home all of the women inmates who have been housed in private prisons in Louisiana, and for doing so earlier than planned. The move not only should help to save the state significant amounts of money, but it should increase the chances that more of these prisoners will succeed in the outside world when they are finally released from prison…
LINK - MontgomeryAdvertiser.com
October 9, 2007
Prison Warned of Security Problems Before Escape
Just days before two inmates escaped from a private prison and went on a cross-state crime spree, state officials warned the private facility that its perimeter security was inadequate, records show. One of the escaped convicts, convicted murderer Charles McDaniels, told investigators the guard tower at the facility was usually unmanned and that the razor wire surrounding the perimeter fence was insufficient, according to a report by the state Department of Corrections' Office of Internal Affairs, The Oklahoman reported Tuesday…
LINK - KOTV.com
January 1, 2005
California Department of Corrections Audit: Issues Identified and Key Recommendations
From the Introduction page of the report:
We have been asked to briefly describe the range of correctional audits we have performed in recent years, the progress of reforms to date, and our thoughts on the reorganization. Over the past five years we have completed seven audits that focused on four particularly important areas in which we concluded that the Department of Corrections needs to improve its performance: In the time allowed today, we will briefly summarize some of the key recommendations the Bureau of State Audits (bureau) included in these audit reports and Corrections' reports regarding its progress in implementing them.
July 2, 2003
Survey: California Dept of Corrections Pharmaceutical Expenditures
The survey revealed that despite a two percent decrease in inmate population between fiscal years 1999-00 and 2002-03, the pharmaceutical expenditures of the Department of Corrections increased 111 percent, from $63 million in 1999-00 to $133 million in 2002-03. During the same period, the national consumer price index for pharmaceutical drugs increased only 22 percent.
The Office of the Inspector General found that the department's pharmaceutical expenditures are also significantly higher than those of two prison systems comparable in size - the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the Texas state prison system - and have increased at a much faster rate.
August 1, 2001
Department of Corrections’ Parole Outpatient Clinic Program
From the Introduction section of the Auditor's report:
The Parole and Community Services Division within the department's Field Operations area is responsible for supervising and providing services to felons who have been paroled. The level of supervision a parolee receives is based on factors related to the offender's history of violence and current service needs. Case assessments dictate the placement of selected parolees in a category of supervision intended to prevent, detect, or interrupt behavior likely to endanger the community or themselves. The Parole and Community Services Division oversees 136 parole offices and four regional parole outpatient clinics (clinic) that provide services statewide. The parole agent is responsible for the following tasks: supervising parolees; arranging services such as housing, medical care, employment, counseling, education, and social activities; investigating alleged parole violations; and helping assess a parolee's risk to the community and the type of services he or she requires. The department employs more than 1,700 parole agents who are responsible for the supervision of approximately 121,000 parolees throughout the State....
October 12, 1999
Success for Supervisor Parity - AB 743
October 12, 1999
RE: Success for Supervisor Parity - AB 743
Dear Mr. Novey:
I am pleased to inform you that Governor Davis has signed Assembly Bill 743.
AB 743, which I authored, sets a policy in statute mandating that supervisors in the Department of Corrections, Youth Authority, Highway Patrol, and California Department of Forestry receive salary and benefits that are at least generally the economic equivalent to the salary and benefits granted to the employees they supervise. Within your organization, this means that correctional supervisors will be direct beneficiaries of CCPOA efforts on behalf of rank and file in negotiations or in any legislative matters affecting salary and/or benefits. In future years, this means no compaction of wages or benefits.
I was distressed to learn that supervisors, especially in the CDC and CYA, have suffered under "compaction" for so long. As you are aware, supervisors do not have collective bargaining in which to resolve the inequity. Instead, they have a meet and confer process that does not allow for equal participation and essentially confines supervisors to whatever package they are offered. Unfortunately, the State of California has failed to treat supervisors with parity to rank and file employees with whom they have negotiated improved contracts over the years. Recognizing the potential recruitment and retention issues and the lack of an equivalent bargaining process, legislation was the best means of correcting the inequity. Therefore, AB 743 applies business sensibility to the departments involved by saying that the State of California will provide for supervisors as it does for line officers. CCPOA sponsorship and work in support of AB 743 was essential to break the cycle of compaction.
Obviously, supervisors in safety positions, such as correctional sergeants, lieutenants, and their counterparts in the Youth Authority, are required to make split second decisions, under enormous pressure, that may have consequence to life and limb. Such responsibility should be recompensed accordingly. Moreover, there is a basic management principle that applies in both the private and public sector and it says that you should at least treat your supervisors equal to the rank and file employees.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Success for Supervisor Parity -- AB 743
October 12, 1999
Page 2
CCPOA provides outstanding representation for your supervisors, as demonstrated by AB 743. Likewise, the Association ably balances its representation of supervisors with advocacy on behalf of rank and file officers. As a member of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, I have worked with CCPOA on a number of legislative measures and have always been impressed by the thorough, professional, and, most importantly, effective representation provided by the Association.
I have heard that another group has expressed interest in representing correctional supervisors. While I can only comment on representation witnessed and reputation of the CCPOA around the Capitol, I once again emphasize the commitment and effectiveness of the Association to bettering service for all corrections officers. Your sponsorship of AB 743 was certainly a testimonial to that service.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
FRED KEELEY, Speaker pro Term
California State Assembly
BILL NUMBER: AB 743
CHAPTERED BILL TEXT - CHAPTER 792
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 10, 1999
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 7, 1999
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 8, 1999
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 16, 1999
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 28, 1999
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 13, 1999
INTRODUCED BY: Assembly Member Keeley
FEBRUARY 24, 1999
An act to add Section 19849.18 to the Government Code, relating to state employees, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 743, Keeley. State employment: supervisors.
Under existing law, supervisory employees have the right to form, join, and participate in the activities of supervisory organizations of their own choosing for the purposes of representation on all matters of supervisory employer-employee relations.
This bill would provide that supervisors of state employees represented by State Bargaining Unit 5, 6, or 8 shall receive salary and benefits changes that are at least generally the economic equivalent to the salary and benefits granted to employees they supervise. The bill would require that the determination of the specific benefits that supervisors of state employees represented by State Bargaining Unit 5, 6, or 8 shall receive be made through a meet and confer process.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 19849.18 is added to the Government Code to read:
19849.18. Supervisors of state employees represented by State Bargaining Unit 5, 6, or 8 shall receive salary and benefits changes that are at least generally equivalent to the salary and benefits granted to employees they supervise. For purposes of this section, "salary" means base pay and shall not be construed to include such forms of compensation as overtime. The benefit package shall be the economic equivalent, but the benefits need not be identical. The determination of the specific benefits that supervisors of state employees represented by State Bargaining Unit 5, 6, or 8 shall receive shall be made through a meet and confer process as defined in Section 3533.
SEC. 2. This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order for the provisions of this act to be applicable as soon as possible, it is necessary that this act take effect immediately.
