Prison Closures

Prison Closures Could Save Billions, Challenge CA’s Rising Prison Spending

By Rebecca KavalauskasMay 30, 20262 comments

California’s correctional spending is projected to increase by nearly $1 billion, despite a decline of approximately 70,000 incarcerated individuals since 2010. This fiscal trend has drawn criticism from advocacy groups, including Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB), which argues the state is allocating increased resources to a diminishing carceral system. CURB advocates for prison closures as a cost-saving strategy, citing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) failure to meet projected savings targets and the substantial expenditures associated with maintaining unoccupied facilities.

Advocates Condemn Newsom Budget for Omitting Prison Closure Plan

By Kiyana ColeMay 17, 20260 comments

Criminal justice advocates and formerly incarcerated organizers have criticized Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised state budget for its failure to commit to additional prison closures. The critique stems from concerns over California’s aging prison population, which faces increasing health and climate-related dangers. This stance contrasts with the state’s continued investment in prison infrastructure upgrades, a point highlighted by advocacy groups.