California has seen a dramatic increase in state and local incarceration rates since the 1970’s. The current crisis confronting state and county justice systems is the product of what is now recognized as poorly conceived correctional policy and decision making primarily at the state level. The massive rate of incarceration was avoidable. A CJCJ recent analysis , conducted with the support and collaboration of the Santa Cruz County Probation and Sheriff Departments and the County’s Superior…
Blog Jun 15, 2012
High cost, low return of longer prison terms
A new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that the length of time served in prison has increased nationally by 36% since 1990. This has translated into an average of nine additional months of incarceration per prisoner. This results in extra costs to states totaling more than $10.4 billion per year. The study found that over half of those additional costs were spent on non-violent offenders who posed minimal risks to public safety. Nationally, states spend over $51 billion each year…
Blog Jun 14, 2012
Youth Gangs In American Society
A survey of the literature on gangs and gang activities in America includes theoretical perspectives on why gangs exist, gang typologies, descriptions of gang activities, and various intervention strategies for dealing with gangs.
California is home to one of the finest higher education systems in the world; a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and academic excellence. This includes the California Community Colleges, California State University (CSU), and University of California (UC) systems. Higher education funds represent a long-term investment that accrues dividends beyond the classroom. On May 14, Governor Brown released his revised 2012 – 13 budget that outlined measures to fill an estimated $15.7 billion…
The Senate and Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Public Safety are being pressured to reconsider the Governor’s revised cost-saving proposal for the state’s youth correctional system, the Division of Juvenile Facilities (commonly referred to as DJJ). Law enforcement agencies are demanding that the Legislature reduce or eliminate the new $24,000 per ward fee structure, which was proposed by the Governor’s office in the May revised budget. This amount greatly contributes to the $24.8 million in…