California to transfer more inmates to private prisons out of state

Nov. 2, 2009 | Julie Small | KPCC

Download

California prison officials announced plans Monday to transfer thousands more inmates out of state to private prisons. The move’s a way to relieve overcrowding in state prisons.

Back in 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state emergency in California’s prisons due to overcrowded conditions he said threatened inmates and prison guards. That proclamation authorized the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to temporarily transfer 7,900 inmates out of state over the last 3 years.

CA/Local News

The departments’ Gordon Hinkle says the transfers enabled California to get rid of thousands of makeshift cells erected in prison day rooms and gymnasiums. "One of the things we’ve been trying to do in California is to shut down any of the 'bad beds' or dorm-type living situations which creates a higher security risk not only for the inmates but for also for the correctional officers that are working to supervise them."

Under an amended contract with the Corrections Corporation of America, one of the largest private prison operators in the country, California will be able to transfer an additional 2,300 high-security inmates to the company’s facilities in Arizona, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. The transfers are expected to begin early next year.

CYNTHIA
3 months, 1 week ago

TRANSFERING INMATES TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE CA, I FEEL IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCUR FROM OUR CA JUDISITION SYSTEM. THE THREE STRIKE YOU OUT LAW WAS ESTABLISH FOR VOILENT CRIMINALS(MURDERS,VOILENT CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN/TEEN/ADULTS). BUT THE JUDISITION SYSTEM USE IT TO THEY'RE ADVANCE AND RAN WITH IT. YOUTH & YOUTH ADULTS CAN GO TO PRISON FOR SMALL CRIME (PETTY THEFT, SHOPLIFTING, ETC.). WHEN THEY REALLY NEED TO, DO JAIL TIME,PROBATION AND REHABILITATION. YES, THIS MAKE THIS; OVER CROWD SITUATION GET WORST. WHEN OTHER STATES RUN OUT OF ROOM FOR CA INMATES,CA WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO THEN? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO INTRANSFER THEM. THE SOLUTION IS, STOP HOUSING THESE ILLEGAL CITIZENS, SEND THEM BACK TO THEIR STATE/COUNTRY, LET THEIR COUNTRY/STATE DEAL WITH THEM, THAT NOT CA ISSUE, MORE PROGRAMS FOR OUR INMATES AND RECONSTRUCT OUR LAWS FOR SERIOUS CRIMINALS. LETS STOP GETTING RICH FROM THE MINORITIES AND TAKE BUSINESS OUT OF OUR JUDISITION SYSTEM AND PLACE REAL CRIMINAL IN PRISON.

Missy
3 months, 1 week ago

How is housing inmates in another state unconstitutional? It's a heck of a lot better than forcing them to sleep on the floor or whatever. And it's safer, too.

Illegal immigrants are the feds' responsibility. That's not what's causing the overcrowding problem here in California.

I think this is a good idea. These are high-security prisoners, which means they're most likely violent offenders. Move 'em.

Trudaughter
3 months, 1 week ago

And what about the hardship on the families of those prisoners moved? Isn't supporting ties to family suppose to be important? It is part of thier mission statement. EXCUSE ME: California will still have to PAY for their care...

Many of the prisoners in CDC are classified as violent offenders... Which is why the change in the law (Bill AB18) is not going to do anything.

3 Strikes is the cause of overcrowding and as soon as the Feds take over, the Governor will be happy! So will the lawmakers. They don't have the spine to make the right decision to and change sentencing laws... They want someone else to do it so they have no accountability.

And Missy, prisoners don't sleep on the floors - it's a big room with lots of bunks...

Comments disabled after 14 days