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| U.S. judge threatens to take control of California's prisons |
| By Knight Ridder Newspapers |
| Published: 07/26/2004 |
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Determined to reform the management of California's $6 billion-a-year prison system, a federal judge last Tuesday threatened to take control of the Department of Corrections from the administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In a letter to Schwarzenegger's top prison advisers, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson voiced disappointment that in recent contract renegotiations Schwarzenegger had agreed to concessions "that give up numerous and important management prerogatives" to the guards union. The strongly worded letter could jeopardize legislative approval of the renegotiated guard contract designed to save the state $108 million. It also could plunge the system deeper into crisis. For months Schwarzenegger's administration had singled out the guard union, seeking contract concessions worth $300 million. But the compromise he struck with the union has been criticized for allowing virtually no layoffs for two years and giving the union a role in prison education programs. Two lawmakers who have been pushing for prison reforms offered differing views on Henderson's letter. State Sen. Jackie Speier called the renegotiated contract a "policy swindle" and said receivership "may be the only thing that can right this ship." State Sen Gloria Romero said that the renegotiation was "weak" but said it was not a reason to launch a federal takeover. |
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