Each year, CURB analyzes the proposed, revised, and enacted California state budget, breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly of corrections spending in our state.

Our budget overview is intended to be a tool community members can use in conversations and advocacy for a budget that reflects our values. As our communities continue to face attacks and escalated repression, it is imperative that we uplift prison closures as a budget solution and fight for investments in care not cages. 

The 2026-27 proposed budget affirms the powerful progress our community has made at reducing California's carceral footprint. Savings from prior prison closures and contract terminations are estimated to reach nearly $5 billion by 2027-28.

However, despite these continued cost-savings and projected declines in the incarcerated population, the proposed budget increases spending on incarceration and does not commit to additional closures. Corrections spending totals $18.86 billion, an increase of more than $618 million compared to last year’s Enacted Budget, while our state's most vulnerable residents continue to suffer. 

California must not stall additional prison closures. There are nearly 14,000 empty beds in state prisons and closing 5 more prisons has the opportunity to free up over $1 billion annually. The campaign to Close California Prisons calls for going further—at least six more as of 2026—to protect vital programs and realign spending with community needs.

Stay tuned for many upcoming opportunities to advocate for a budget that meets this moment and protects our communities.