By Chung Kao
Staff Writer
Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2016-17 budget proposes a total of $15.6 billion for judicial and criminal justice programs—an increase of $582 million, or 3.9 percent, over the estimated expenditures for year 2015-16.
A report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) summarizes Brown’s proposed expenditures and makes recommendations to the Legislature about whether to approve, modify or reject them.
According to the report, “The primary goal of California’s criminal justice system is to provide public safety by deterring and preventing crime, punishing individuals who commit crime, and reintegrating criminals back into the community.”
Brown’s budget proposes increased funding for the state’s three major criminal justice programs: $145 million (1.4 percent) for the CDCR, $175 million (5.1 percent) for the court system, and $22 million (2.7 percent) for the Department of Justice.
In addition, Brown’s proposal includes a one-time funding of $250 million from the General Fund for county jail construction under the 2011 Realignment.
The LAO makes the following recommendations regarding Brown’s criminal justice budget:
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION
Brown requests an extension of authority (SB 105, 2013) to procure contract beds, and his budget includes $259 million to maintain about 9,000 contract beds. The LAO recommends approval of the extension of authority and funding, but directs the CDCR to close the California Rehabilitation Center.
Brown’s budget proposes a one-time funding of $7.9 million for a one-year extension of the drug interdiction pilot program. The LAO recommends approval of $750,000 for random drug testing and rejection of the remainder of the proposal.
Brown’s budget proposes $5.8 million for additional staff in the Investigative Services Unit. The LAO recommends rejection of the proposal.
Brown’s budget proposes $3.3 million to expand the Alternative Custody Program and $390,000 to augment the Enhanced Alternative Custody Program.. The LAO recommends withholding action on the proposal until the budget hearing.
Brown’s budget proposes a $10.5 million augmentation to expand the rehabilitative programs and establish programs for long-term offenders. The LAO recommends approval of $4 million to extend programs to high-risk offenders, and rejection of the remainder of the proposal.
Brown’s budget proposes $32 million to support and expand the Male Community Re-entry Program. The LAO recommends rejection of the proposal and directs CDCR to resubmit a proposal to target high-risk offenders.
Brown’s budget proposes a $6 million augmentation and 33 additional positions for health care executive management teams at eight prisons. The LAO recommends rejection of the proposal.
Brown’s budget proposes $246.4 million for inmate pharmaceuticals. The LAO recommends approval of the proposal.
Brown’s budget proposes $524,000 to increase maintenance staff at Ironwood State Prison. The LAO recommends reducing the request by $275,000.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Brown’s budget proposes additional funding of $72 million to support the workload increases to the judicial branch and a $20 million augmentation for trial court operations. The LAO recommends rejection of the proposal.
Brown’s budget proposes a one-time funding of $30 million to create a new Court Innovations Grant Program. The LAO recommends withholding action pending additional information.
Brown’s budget includes court construction proposals totaling $305 million. The LAO recommends withholding action until there is a budget hearing.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Brown’s budget proposes a $7.8 million augmentation from federal and state funds to support 35 additional positions to eliminate a backlog in fraud and elder abuse enforcement. The LAO recommends approval of funding on a one-time basis to address the backlog.
Brown’s budget proposes a $1.4 million augmentation and seven additional positions to speed up prosecution under consumer protection laws. The LAO recommends rejection of the proposal.
REALIGNMENT
The LAO recommends rejection of that and the governor’s office submits revised budget proposals in May each year.
