NCJ Number
128353
Date Published
1990
Length
144 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of an examination of selected operational and policy issues made by the Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operation during 1989 at Folsom State Prison.
Abstract
Overcrowding is the main problem examined at Folsom Prison. New Folsom is at 185 percent of capacity, and Old Folsom is at 165 percent. Other aspects examined in light of overcrowding were prison litigation, pollution of the American River, grooming standards, inmate personal property items, plant preventing maintenance, prisoner visitor rights, inmate mail rules, and sports and recreation budget. The examination also included how to feed an overcrowded prison of maximum security inmates, how to reduce clothing waste, and how to stem violence and stress without making prison life "too easy." What was too hard to measure as to its impact upon prison operations and decisions was the fact that 75-80 percent of the inmate population were known substance abusers. Recommendations and a general summary conclude the presentation.