Which Way, L.A.?
Realignment and California's Jail-Building Boom
There's a construction boom in California. News stories show local officials posing with shovels as counties break ground for new jails. But those aren't the images that were expected. New money was supposed to be split between jails and cheaper alternatives to incarceration, like mental-health treatment and other forms of rehabilitation. But most of it's going to jails. We hear how that happened in the rush for prison reform.
By Warren Olney • • 23m ListenThere's a construction boom in California. News stories show local officials posing with shovels as counties break ground for new jails. But those aren't the images that were expected. New money was supposed to be split between jails and cheaper alternatives to incarceration, like mental-health treatment and other forms of rehabilitation. But most of it's going to jails. We hear how that happened in the rush for prison reform.
Also, the marijuana lobby in Sacramento is growing up…handing out freebies to political aides just like veteran lobbyists do.
In this episode
2 storiesState Incarceration Becomes Local Incarceration
"Realignment" was enacted three years ago to reduce over-crowding in California prisons. Low-level convicts would go to the 58 counties, and they were supposed to create cheaper alternatives to incarceration. But, that's not how it's turning out.
Read the story17 minRise of the Marijuana Lobby
It wasn't strictly illegal, but Democrats in Sacramento have been embarrassed by a report about Josh Drayton--political advisor to Senate President pro tem Kevin de Leon. Drayton took some $85 worth of marijuana products from Nate Bradley, a lobbyist for liberalizing marijuana laws.
Read the story7 min
