SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Criminal justice advocates and formerly incarcerated organizers are criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised state budget for failing to commit to additional prison closures as California’s aging prison population faces increasing health and climate-related dangers.
According to Californians United for a Responsible Budget, the May Revision proposes increasing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget to roughly $14.6 billion, including approximately $14.2 billion from the General Fund. However, the revised budget does not provide a concrete plan for additional prison closures, despite California’s declining prison population.
The proposal comes after recommendations from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, which recommended closing the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, estimating annual savings of roughly $529 million. The LAO also reported that while Proposition 36 could temporarily increase California’s prison population, the broader long-term trend is expected to continue downward.
Read the full story from the Davis Vanguard here.
