AB 900: Providing Solutions - Progress In Action

The reform elements that make up the foundations of AB 900 take into account short and mid-term solutions to overcrowding as well as seismic philosophical shifts to achieve long-range results.

PHILOSOPHICAL SHIFT:  Focusing on the “R” in CDCR

California has convened an expert panel of the best and brightest minds across the country on corrections reforms, delegated “Strike Teams” to form practical plans for implementing their recommendations, and set up a structure to ensure that evidence-based principals are used in prisons.  All of this expertise is being harnessed to ensure that inmates are assessed and put on a pathway toward rehabilitation during their incarceration.  From reception center through reentry facility to post-release, CDCR is focusing on rehabilitation as a means to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

SHORT-TERM: Out-of-State Inmate Transfers Provide Breathing Room

Temporary out-of-state inmate transfers are the most immediate means to reduce overcrowding. To date these transfers have provided much-needed breathing room in overcrowded prisons. Out-of-state transfers are on schedule to meet the June 30, 2008 goal of 4,700. A total of 3,178 inmates were housed out-of-state, as of mid-March 2008. CDCR has now signed contracts for 8,132 out-of-state beds, meeting its goal. As a result of out-of-state transfers and other population reduction measures, overcrowding has been significantly reduced. “Bad beds” have declined by about 3,500 in the past year. There were 15,744 of these nontraditional prison beds in use the week of March 19, 2008. These population reductions have allowed CDCR to:

• Deactivate housing in 13 gymnasiums;
  
• Remove beds in day rooms/TV rooms
  
• at six prisons; and,
  
• Reduce overall “bad beds” and overcrowding by 3,531 inmates.

MID-TERM:  New Structures Allow Existing Prisons to Focus on Programs

Building “infill” beds at existing prisons will help meet the needs of CDCR’s current prison population, while providing for adequate program space. CDCR is currently undergoing engineering, architectural and environmental impact report work at the first four sites identified for infill (Wasco, North Kern, Kern Valley and California Correctional Institution) for a total of 6,050 beds, and is working with the Receiver to meet the needs of the prison medical care system.

LONG-TERM:  Secure Community Reentry Facilities Transition Inmates

Secure Community Reentry Facilities are the centerpiece of California’s comprehensive corrections reforms.  After AB 900 was signed, CDCR educated local communities on reentry, holding web seminars and workshops with representatives from government, law enforcement, and service providers in all 58 counties.  The result is that 19 counties had submitted proposals to site 6,950 beds in reentry facilities by the March 18 deadline to apply for Phase I jail and reentry funds.  CDCR has received a total of 24 proposals for reentry and jail facilities and is expediting the process to award funds and begin construction. Reentry facilities will provide intensive transitional services during the final 12 months of inmates’ sentences, and are designed to significantly reduce recidivism rates in the long term.

[BELOW] Map of California, showing counties that have expressed interest in siting Reentry facilities or have applied for AB 900 jail bonds.

<<-- Introduction

AB 900 Benchmarks -->>