California Gov. Brown Seeks to Cut Billions in Prison Construction

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California may slash $4.1 billion in construction plans, bring back inmates housed in other states and close one of its costliest facilities.

The plan would reduce general fund spending on prisons to 7.5 percent from 11 percent, under a proposal unveiled by Governor Jerry Brown and the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. The $4.1 billion is part of a $7.7 billion bond plan approved in 2007 to build more prisons as a way to ease crowding.

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