california's culture of corrections

January 27, 2012Julie Lifshay, MPH PhDCenterforce

CenterforceCenterforceInformation, Education and Advocacy for

individuals, families and communities impacted by incarceration

*Reference: New Yorker, Jan 30, 2012, "The Caging of America," Gopnik

Incarceration in the U.S.

U.S. focuses on a “fair” process, not for a “just” outcome* Impersonality Revenge

Increase in violent crime rates in the 70’s and early ‘80s

U.S. decided to “get tough on crime” Mandatory Minimum sentences Enhancements Longer terms

*Reference: Bureau of Justice and Statistics (http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/glance/incrt.cfm

United States*

*Reference: Bureau of Justice and Statistics (http://www.bjs.gov/content/glance/tables/viortrdtab.cfm)

Results*?

*2008 Pew report http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/report_detail.aspx?id=35904

Results More than 1 in 100 adults are in

jail or prison* 1 in 31 adults behind bars , or on parole or

probation** in 1980, ~ 220 people incarcerated / 100,000*** In 2010, ~731 people incarcerated/100,000*** U.S. has highest incarceration rate in the

world****: England and Wales: 154 per 100,000 Iraq and Iran: 133 per 100,000 Canada : 116 per 100,000 Japan: 63 per 100,000

*Data from: http://www.nccd-crc.org/nccd/pubs/2006nov_factsheet_incarceration.pdf

We are #1*

*Data from: http://www.nccd-crc.org/nccd/pubs/2006nov_factsheet_incarceration.pdf

Results

The incarceration rate in the U.S. is 4X the world average

The US has less than 5% of the world’s population but 23% of the people incarcerated in the world

The US imprisons the most women in the world

*Reference: New Yorker, Jan 30, 2012, "The Caging of America," Gopnik

Results* $ states spend on prisons has grown

at 6 X the rate of spending on higher education

More than 50% of AA men without HS diploma go to prison*

AA men incarcerated at a rate 6 ½ X that of white men

More black men in the grip of the criminal-justice system—in prison, on probation, or on parole—than were enslaved in 1850.

*From 2005 Sentencing Project report Incarceration and Crime Rates, Complex

Reasons for drop in Crime

Not (only) incarceration: no consistent relationship

1991-1998*: Texas: 144% increase in incarceration

Decrease in crime 35%

California: 52% increase in incarceration Decrease in crime: 36%

New York: 24% increase in incarceration Decrease in crime: 43%

*From 2005 Sentencing Project report Incarceration and Crime Rates, Complex

Changes in Incarceration and Crime Rates for states, 1991-1998* Above Average Increase in Incarceration: 72%Decrease in Crime Rates: 13%

Below Average Increase in Incarceration: 30%Decrease in Crime Rates: 17%

Zimring, The City That Became Safe, 2010

Reasons for drop in Crime

Zimring* “hot spot” policing “stop and frisk” policies A decrease in the prevalence in crime

fuels a further decrease in the prevalence of crime. it is situational what matters is the “culture of crime”

Incarceration in CA Tougher sentencing laws

3 Strikes Law 1994 Other “tough on crime” laws

Enhancements Indeterminate sentences Determinate sentences of exorbitant amounts of time

CA “Lifer” population 20% of CA prisoners are serving a “life” sentence

34,164 (2009) = 3X the number in 1992 Parole Grant Rates:

2000 to 2007 around 8%; 2010 about 18% In 2010, 80% of those were rejected by the Governor

Recidivism rate of lifers is “miniscule”

*http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/keyfacts.php

California New Admission Rates*

*http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/keyfacts.php

CA Criminal Justice Expenditures*

*http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/keyfacts.php

Results*?

*http://motherjones.com/slideshows/2011/05/california-prison-overcrowding-photos/institution-for-men

Results*

*Matthew Cate, Secretary of CDCR, http://motherjones.com/slideshows/2011/05/california-prison-overcrowding-photos/institution-for-men

Incarceration in CA*

“If you ask any prosecutor in California, they’ll tell you that sentencing laws in California are a byzantine, complex, difficult-to-decipher, and not always consistent patchwork. They have to be [changed] so that people we should really be afraid of serve longer terms, and that people we’re just mad at do shorter terms.”

*From: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2012/01/30/120130crat_atlarge_gopnik#ixzz1kOr5MYOx

Challenges Faced by People Inside Disconnection from loved ones

In some cases, alienation from loved ones Educational levels Past Experiences of violence Emotional growth Drug Addiction Prison culture Loss of Hope Loss of Motivation Job skills and opportunities Health issues and risks “We lock up men and forget about their

existence.”*

*From: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Adult_Programs/index.html

California Dept of Corrections and Rehabilitation

“Adult Programs is at the heart of rehabilitation activity in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Its goals are to (1) provide effective evidence based programming to adult offenders and (2) create strong partnerships with local government, community based providers, and the communities to which offenders return in order to provide services that are critical to offenders’ success on parole.”

*2007 reference from http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/docs/GovRehabilitationStrikeTeamRpt_012308.pdf

Culture of Corrections in CA

Power of the CCPOA Added the “R” back into CDC in

2005 Of $43,000 spent per prisoner/year,

$2,000 (5%) spent on rehabilitation (2007)*

Funding environment & impact on programs $250 Million was cut from a $600 Million

Adult Program budget in January 2010.

Culture of Corrections in CA

“Program” Culture around punishment Suspicion of outside groups Power and control Concern about “idle” time

Contact Information

Julie Lifshay, MPH PhDjlifshay@centerforce.org

www.centerforce.org