NCJ Number
76931
Date Published
1980
Length
246 pages
Annotation
Alternative methods of housing convicted felons sentenced to the custody of the California Department of Corrections (CDC) were evaluated.
Abstract
The study focused on adult male and female felons and civil narcotic commitments sentenced to CDC custody. Information was gathered by means of surveys of current CDC facilities and alternative housing in California and of security classifications and standards for evaluating correctional facilities throughout the United States. The State's new classification system was used to project inmate populations and needs for facilities at various levels of security. The study emphasized the identification of reasonable alternatives to traditional prison construction to provide the State with a more economical method of fulfilling its prisoner housing responsibilities. Alternatives considered included the expanded use of camps, prerelease centers, and county correctional facilities and the use of existing noncorrectional facilities for corrections purposes. It was concluded that alternative housing should be a central element in CDC's facilities plan. Development of a prerelease community residential program, expansion of the use of camps, and consideration of the use of three Air Force radar stations, the property of the California School for the Deaf, and certain facilities available at Hamilton Air Force Base were recommended. Analysis of the costs and benefits of three basic options indicated that continuation of the existing situation would be the least desirable approach. It was recommended that all cells considerably under 60 square feet be replaced and that dormitory livng space be used at either 50 or 60 square feet per inmate. As an alternative to these options, the legislature may wish to use the CDC standard of 75 square feet per inmate in dormitories and add about 2,000 beds at a cost of $80 million to $120 million. Deficiencies in existing facilities should be addressed within the funding capability provided by the legislature. Tables, graphs, maps, footnotes, and additional recommendations are included. Appendixes present an analysis of major projection model variables and an evaluation of a report on correctional industries. For the management summary of this report, see NCJ-76930.