10. california’s prison industrial complex and the perpetual crisis

www.cjcj.org© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013

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California’s Prison Industrial Complex and the Perpetual Crisis

Politics of mass incarceration



California Prison Population 1851-2010(rate per 100,000)



California criminal justice expenditures, 1982/83-present, in constant 2010 dollars per capita



Percent of California adults under correctional supervision, 1983-2008



The GovernorsJerry Brown

(1975-1983)

George Deukmejian

(1983-1991)



The GovernorsPete Wilson

(1991-1999)Gray Davis (1999-2003)



The Governors

Arnold Schwarzenegger(2003 –2010)

Jerry Brown

(2011-present)



Major events of the 1990s

• 1990 Governor Deukmejian's Blue Ribbon Commission

Report on Inmate Population Management issued

• Rise of the prison interest groups as a political force

• Passage of over 1000 sentencing enhancement laws

• 1994 Three Strikes Law passed



Prison Guards as prison interest group 1957 CCPOA Founded 1980s prison expansion fills the

union’s ranks 1984 – 1995 membership

increases from 5000 to 33,000 under leadership of Don Novey

Union goals – increase salaries, promote job stability, and improve working conditions

Union adopts aggressive political strategy to increase prison population

Victims rights movement funded to promote prison expansion

CCPOA and affiliates promote harsher sentencing laws culminating in passage of 3 strikes



CCPOA Influence on the Prison Industrial Complex

• 31,000 members pay $59.42 per month to the CCPOA. • Union dues total $21.9 million per year. • 65% of that money goes to operations.

• 35% goes of the budget funds political activities • The political budget flows out in 6 main directions. • CCPOA pays for public relations. • CCPOA pays for lobbying services. • CCPOA funds affiliate groups.

• CCPOA contributes “soft money” to political parties, political events, debates.

• CCPOA gives direct contributions to candidates. • Election winners support the CCPOA political agenda. • Tough on crime legislation fuels expansion of the correctional system.

• Expanded correctional system adds membership to the CCPOA.



California Correctional Peace Officers Association as successful union

• California prison guards are highest paid in the US – average salary $73,000 – (not including overtime).

• Retire after 30 years at 90% salary• Automatic monthly bonus for completing a physical

fitness exam

• Seniority primary basis for job selection



California Prison Lobby

• CCPOA• California District Attorney’s Association• Crime Victims United• Doris Tate Crime Victims Group

• California Sheriff’s Association

• Narcotics Officers Association

• Police Chiefs Association



Sacramento Prison Industry Lobbyists

California Peace Officers' Association

California Police Chiefs' Association

California Narcotic Officers

Association

California Association of Code

Enforcement Officers

California Association of Health

Underwriters

California Correctional Supervisors

Organization

Los Angeles District Attorney



The Future of California’s Corrections System

• Impact of Plata/Coleman v Brown(2002 & 1994)• Sentencing reform• Parole reform• Realignment

10. california’s prison industrial complex and the perpetual crisis

Education

boardman placesan francisco

prison expansion ccpoa

ccpoa political agenda

california prison population

ccpoa influence

s prison expansion

political events

political parties