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| Soledad prison to become a re-entry hub |
| By thecalifornian.com - SUNITA VIJAYAN |
| Published: 04/25/2012 |
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California -- One of Monterey County's state prisons may soon be able to offer what it was originally designed for — providing inmates with training and skills needed to re-enter society. The Correctional Training Facility in Soledad is expected to receive, along with other prisons, a "re-entry hub" designation under a major overhaul plan by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. On Monday, CDCR officials released "The Future of California Corrections: A Blueprint to Save Billions of Dollars, End Federal Oversight, and Improve the Prison System," a plan expected to shave $1.5 billion from its annual budget when fully implemented. The 244-page plan outlines the department's recommendations for ending years of federal court oversight, overcrowding, poor inmate medical and mental health treatment, and soaring costs. The changes are possible because of a state law that took effect Oct. 1. It shifts lower-level offenders from state prisons to county jails. Under the realignment plan, the state prison population has dropped by 22,000 inmates. The federal courts had ordered the state to reduce its inmate population by 40,000 from the record high of 173,479 in 2006, ruling that jamming inmates into triple bunks, day rooms, gyms and other areas was preventing the rapid and efficient delivery of medical care. "It's a massive change to our system," Corrections Secretary Matthew Cate said at a Capitol news conference. Officials for the county's other prison, Salinas Valley State Prison, a high-security facility, could not be immediately reached Tuesday. As a re-entry hub, the Correctional Training Facility is expected to provide a number of programs to certain inmates with four years or less remaining to their incarceration. The purpose of the hubs are "to concentrate program resources and better prepare inmates as they get closer to being released." Among the programs expected to come to CTF are employment training, substance abuse treatment and career technical education. Read More. |
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