FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 7, 2016
Governor reneges on promise for sustainable prison population reduction, funds new jail construction
Press contact: Lizzie Buchen – 510-435-1176, lizzie@curbprisonspending.org
Sacramento – Despite years of promises to find a long-term solution to California’s prison crisis, Gov. Brown’s 2016-17 budget projects future prison population growth, extends the use of in-state and out-of-state contract beds, spends $250 million on new jail expansion, refurbishes the Norco prison that has been slated for closure for years, and lacks any reforms that would meaningfully reduce the prison population. Rather than investing in vital community-based programs, the budget focuses on in-custody services.
“This budget is a joke. For decades advocates have pushed for long-term solutions to prison overcrowding and the closure of Norco. The Governor is showing his commitment to slowly refurbishing a facility known for it’s horrendous living conditions by giving $6 million towards repairing Norco,” says Diana Zuñiga of CURB. “After years of making positive strides towards meeting the court order to reduce the prison population, it is infuriating that this budget says nothing about bringing our loved ones home through sustainable sentencing and parole reform.”