California Curbs Pepper Spray Use, Physical Force

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Policies concerning the treatment of mentally ill inmates in California correctional facilities underwent significant changes on August 1. A months-long legal battle over the use of physical force and pepper spray, ended with the approval of revised procedures aimed at reducing harm to inmates living with mental illness.

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CDCR Chooses R.J. Donovan Facility Project Team

OTAY MESA, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recently chose Tempe, Ariz.-headquartered Sundt Construction and joint-venture partner Layton Construction, with offices in Phoenix, as the design-build contractor for the new housing facility at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Complex located near San Diego.

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Court Gives California Two Years to Lower Prison Population

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Feb. 10, a three-judge panel approved the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s proposal for a two-year extension to Feb. 28, 2016 to reduce the state’s prison population to 137.5 percent capacity. In return, Governor Jerry Brown’s administration promises not to file any more appeals or ask for any more time. This finally ends the back-and-forth deadline extension process between the two sides.

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AB 109 Turns Two, Makes Strides for CDCR

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two years ago, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 109 or the Public Safety Realignment Act, which required the realignment of several low-level prisoners in an effort to reduce the number of inmates in the state’s 33 prisons to 137.5 percent of design capacity by June 2013. As the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) continues to undergo massive changes to its prison system, a new study shows that the CDCR has already made improvements.

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