CDCR STAR - Corrections Clips

NEWS STORIES:

Budget:

State workers, agencies try to flee the general fund
By Malcolm Maclachlan, Capitol Weekly -- Across state government, there is a migration going on. With the state’s general fund $24.3 billion in the hole both state workers and agencies are trying to move away from depending on the general fund. The general fund is the state’s main coffer of income, sales and corporate taxes. It is money at least partially under the control of the Legislature – which means when times get hard, the general fund is the first place lawmakers look for cuts. Corrections, also likely to face large cuts, has $9.6 billion in general fund exposure, compared to $241 million in special funds. Higher education ($12.4 billion general vs. $47 million special) and Health and Human Services ($30 billion general vs. $7.9 billion special) are in similar positions.

Institutions:

California Men's Colony at center of alleged drug ring; 21 people are arrested
By Nick Wilson, San Luis Obispo Tribune -- Twenty-one people were arrested this week on a range of charges relating to alleged narcotics trafficking and plans to smuggle illegal drugs into the California Men’s Colony, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday. Those arrested in the alleged ring included members of a local gang, employees of the California Department of Corrections and a Los Angeles grade-school teacher.

CDCR Related and Miscellaneous:

States may save money by freeing inmates
By Ray Henry, Associated Press -- Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals. Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy. "If we don't find a way to better manage the population at the state prison, we will be forced to spend money to expand the state's prison system —- money we don't have," said Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri.

Corrections Officer Arrested At Folsom Prison
KCRA -- A corrections officer was arrested at Folsom State Prison on three felony charges, including having firearms in prison and being in a street gang. The Sacramento County District Attorney's office said no charges were filed Tuesday against Ramon Rossman, 24. According to the county's inmate information system, Rossman was initially booked on felony charges of bringing and/or firearms in prison, participating in a criminal street gang and destroying evidence. The district attorney's office said Rossman was released Tuesday without bail, and that it needs more information before a case can be filed.