Major Issues

Table of Contents

Overview

• Spending by Major Program
• Major Budget Changes

Crosscutting

• A "Containment" Strategy for Adult Sex Offenders on Parole
• Sex Offenders in Communities A Major Public Concern
• The Community Impact of Sex Offenders
• The State's Approach to Dealing With Sex Offenders
• Weaknesses in the State's Approach
• A Flawed Parole System
• Inadequate Supervision of Parolees
• Few Offenders Receive Treatment
• Polygraph Controls Absent
• Few Held by Costly SVP Program
• A Failing Approach
• LAO Recommendation: "Containment" of High-Risk Sex Offenders
• The Containment Model
• Intensify Supervision
• Provide Longer Supervision for Certain Offenders
• Create Specialized Parole Treatment Programs
• Start an In-Prison Treatment Program
• Facilitate Use of Polygraph Examinations
• Short-Term Fiscal Effect
• Long-Term Fiscal Effect
• Conclusion
• The Tobacco Settlement
• Summary of the Settlement
• Monetary Provisions of the Settlement
• Uncertainties Regarding the Amount of Money California Will Receive
• Legal Implications of the Settlement
• Public Health Provisions of the Settlement
• Differences Between the Settlement and Previous Agreements
• Relationship of the Settlement to Proposition 10
• What Should the Legislature Do?

Departmental Issues

• Department of Corrections (5240)
• Budget Proposal
• Overview of the Inmate Population
• Who Is in Prison?
• Projected Inmate Population Growth Slowing
• Caseload Funding Requires Further Adjustment
• Inmate Housing Plan Relies on Overcrowding
• Implications of the Population Projections
• Correctional Program Issues
• Full Implementation of Agreement Would Require Additional Funding
• Determine Caseload for Disabled Inmates Before Funding Special Programs
• No Legal Authority Cited for Holding Mentally Ill Parolees
• Correctional Administration Issues
• Various Proposals Need Modification
• Federal Funds Assumption Is Risky
• Board of Corrections (5430)
• Board Responsibilities Have Increased Dramatically
• Board of Prison Terms (5440)
• Rate Increases for Evaluators Should Be Rejected
• Department of the Youth Authority (5460)
• Ward Population
• Who Is in the Youth Authority?
• Ward Population Continues to Decline
• Ward and Parolee Population Projections Will Be Updated in May
• Youth Authority Fees Charged to Counties
• Legislation Increased Fees Counties Pay for the Youth Authority
• Fees Have Changed Profile Of Youth Authority Wards
• Counties Have Responded to New Fees in Variety of Ways
• Conclusion: Sliding Scale Legislation Is Achieving Its Intended Objectives
• Target Future State Juvenile Justice Funds
• Counties Should Have Input Into Length of Stay Decisions
• Fees Should Be Regularly Adjusted To Account for Effects of Inflation
• Youth Authority Needs to Develop Targeted Programming for Certain Less Serious Offenders
• Youthful Offender Parole Board (5450)
• The YOPB Decisions Regarding Parole Consideration Dates Need Review
• Trial Court Funding
• Trial Court Funding Restructuring
• Budget Not Consistent With Law to Reduce County Costs
• Shortfall in Court Filing Fees
• Trial Courts Face Year 2000 Computer Problems
• Information Technology Problems Should Be First Priority for Modernization Fund
• Drug Court Request Is Duplicative
• Judicial (0250)
• Uncertainties About CAC Program for Capital Cases
• Permanent Appellate Project Increase Premature
• Salary Adjustments Not Justified
• Department of Justice (0820)
• Budget Proposal
• Additional Funding for DNA Lab Would Eliminate Backlog in Two Years
• Crime Lab Fee Proposal Is Sound Policy; Implementation Details to Be Worked Out