blog post Will Proposition 47 Save Money? By Sonya Tafoya, Magnus Lofstrom Nov 20, 2014 Proposition 47 may result in substantial savings because fewer inmates will be housed in county jails. But a closer look suggests expectations may be too optimistic.
blog post State Leaders: More Data Needed on Rehabilitation Efforts By David Lesher Apr 23, 2014 The state has recently directed more than $1 billion toward new jail beds at the local level. But state policymakers are also focusing on alternatives to incarceration that will reduce recidivism, deter criminal behavior, and save money.
event Corrections Reform in California Apr 21, 2014 About the Program California is making historic changes to its corrections system, shifting key responsibilities from the state to the counties. This shift has reduced the number of people who are incarcerated and created a renewed interest in rehabilitation programs. Please join us for a wide-ranging panel discussion about corrections reform, from reducing recidivism to improving outcomes for individuals and communities. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited. Lunch will be provided.
Report Capacity Challenges in California’s Jails By Magnus Lofstrom, Katherine Kramer Sep 27, 2012 In an effort widely known as "realignment,” California has given its counties enormous new responsibilities for corrections—including authority over many new types of felony offenders and parolees. Rather than go to state prison, these offenders now go to county jail or receive an alternative sanction. In the first few months of realignment, California’s jail population increased noticeably—but many jails were already facing capacity concerns. We find that some offenders who would have been incarcerated prior to realignment are now either not locked up or are not spending as much time in jail. Going forward, counties will need to consider a wide variety of approaches for handling their capacity concerns and their expanded offender populations.
press release PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians And Their Government, California Voters: What They Don’t Know Could Hurt Us? May 30, 2007
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Future By Mark Baldassare Aug 30, 2006 Some findings of the current survey: Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger holds a 13-point lead over Democratic challenger Phil Angelides in the November governor's race. Republicans are more satisfied with their choice of candidate (58%) than Democrats are with theirs (42%). The four infrastructure bonds placed on the ballot by the legislature for transportation, housing, schools and flood mitigation have support from at least half of likely voters. But even supporters of individual bond measures think the total amount, about $43 billion, is too much. Looking towards the future, 34 percent of Californians think that improving jobs and the economy is the highest priority for the state by 2025, followed by the rehabilitation of state infrastructure, protecting the environment, and the creation of a more equal society. Four percent identify closing the border and stopping illegal immigration as the state's highest priority. Both likely voters (43%) and all adults (36%) identify light rail systems as their top priority for publicly funded surface transportation projects to accommodate the state's expected population growth by 2025. This is the 70th PPIC Statewide Survey and the first in a four-part, pre- and post-election series, made possible with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
