Posted on 04/22/2006 8:37:02 AM PDT by kellynla
SACRAMENTO — Already bulging with inmates wedged into gyms and hallways, California prisons must make room for 23,000 more felons over the next five years, according to new projections that are forcing managers to explore still more unusual options — even tents — to house bunks.
The forecast, which outlines much steeper growth than numbers released just six months ago, predicts enough new convicts to fill five prisons. California would have more than 193,000 inmates by 2011.
The growth is being driven by increases in new prison admissions and by parolees who either commit new crimes or violate the terms of their release and are re-incarcerated for short stays.
Though a recent report showed a decline in California's recidivism rate, officials said the state's overall population expansion inevitably means more people breaking the law.
The crowding is intensifying during a time of management turmoil. This week, the acting corrections secretary quit — the second top official in two months to leave amid concerns about the guard union's influence over prison management.
On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named a temporary replacement who told reporters that crowded conditions were a safety hazard and were among his top concerns.
In January, Schwarzenegger proposed building 83,000 more cells — some in county jails, some in state lockups — with bond sales totaling $13.1 billion. But that idea, part of his sweeping public works plan, stalled in the Legislature, and corrections officials are scrambling to create bed space.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"Only until after conviction and serving time should they be deported."
and that is why our prisons are overcrowded.
why should American taxpayers pay FIFTY GRAND A YEAR to incarcerate them...
after we secure the borders we should deport them and then we can start incarcerating the American perverts who are roaming about the country unabated!
Secure it how?
Hmm, let's see.... how about a wall? How about enforcing laws already on the books? How about adding to the prison population and start throwing employers behind bars? How about eliminating all the government freebies? That'd be a start.
You think a wall between the US and Mexico at five billion dollars to make is gonna stop them?
What about Canada? What about the oceans?
I guess you musta missed that big sting that happened with the German company this week where 30 or more were arrested.
What gov't freebies?
Six figures??? You must be talking about the head mucky mucks. In Texas, the guards and supervisors are paid chump change. I should know, that's why I'm having to find another job that will pay for gas.
Nope, ordinary guards with a ton of o.t. Come on down!
So you just let them loose?
why are they working so much overtime if the pay is high?
Six figures for line staff if OT is included is no big deal in California, even in Mental Health forensics facilities.
Because they employ according to minimum staffing standards set by the licensing agencies then they hire OT for the I:I special staffing cases and staff shortages. A high mucky muck told me this has a lot to do with the facility budgets, and bonuses given to managers for salary savings.
You mean the high muckity mucks complain because the accounting bean counters actually make them live within a budget and applicable staffing patterns? That's what its all about in corrections.
I guess I'm confused about the staffing standards you say that are set by the licensing agencies. What the heck does this mean?
They get part of the so called savings as a bonus, and then the Dept gets the State Legislature to pass an additional spending package to cover the increased need for overtime.
Who is the JCHA?
"At least in California, and I believe in most of the country, these facilities are licensed either under a State or Federal agency that sets the guidelines for staff to inmate ratio..."
What federal agency?
"They get part of the so called savings as a bonus..."
What savings? Budget that's not expended?
'We have plenty of surplus tents and razor wire...' I remember those pictures from 1991 of all those Iraqi prisoners who surrendered to our forces. Nothing fancy...just razor wire in the desert. Since we are humane I can go along with the surplus army tents and even five gallon buckets for sanitation. Set it up so they don't want to come back illegally.
You have got to be freakin' joking!!! It's $30K here, with years under the belt.
See #39.
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