September 9, 2009

California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation: It Fails to Track & Use Data That Would Allow It to More Effectively Monitor & Manage Its Operations

The California State Auditor reviewed the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's (CDCR) expenditures for fiscal year 2007-2008. The auditors found that from 2004 to 2007, CDCR expenditures increased by nearly 32% although the inmate population decreased by one percent during the same period. CDCR lacks information to quantify the additional expense due to overcrowding, vacant staff positions, overtime costs, and aging inmates. For fiscal year 2008-2009, which ended June 30, 2009, CDCR budgeted $208 million for education and vocational rehabilitation programs, but lacks basic outcomes data, which could help evaluate the programs' effectiveness in reducing recidivism. A manual scheduling system and limited technology limit CDCR's ability to transition to using telemedicine to provide health care.