Report 2018-113 Recommendation 16 Responses

Report 2018-113: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Several Poor Administrative Practices Have Hindered Reductions in Recidivism and Denied Inmates Access to In‑Prison Rehabilitation Programs (Release Date: January 2019)

Recommendation #16 To: Rehabilitation Oversight Board, California

To ensure that Corrections is taking steps to reduce recidivism, C-ROB should monitor whether Corrections is developing appropriate recidivism targets and, in its annual report, should evaluate Corrections' progress toward meeting those targets.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From September 2023

The California Rehabilitation Oversight Board last met on September 12, 2023 and is not scheduled to meet again until February 29, 2024. At this next meeting, the Board will reconsider Recommendation #16 from the State Auditor's January 2019 report titled: "Report 2018-113: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Several Poor Administrative Practices Have Hindered Reductions in Recidivism and Denied Inmates Access to In-Prison Rehabilitation Programs." Until that time, the Board's previous response from October 2020 stands. If the Board approves any modifications to its October 2020 response, the Office of the Inspector General will immediately contact the State Auditor to provide the Board's updated response.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2020

As was noted on page 43 of your January 2019 report, C-ROB needed additional statutory authority and resources to implement this recommendation. Assembly members Jones-Sawyer and Calderon introduced Assembly Bill 1688, which would have provided this additional authority as reflected in recommendations 20 and 21 of the report. However, on July 11, 2019, this additional authority, and the resources that would have accompanied it, was amended out of the bill. Governor Newsom later vetoed the bill, explaining that its goals could be accomplished administratively.

Despite this development, C-ROB continues to monitor and report on the effectiveness of CDCR's rehabilitation programs, including their effect on reducing recidivism. However, it is limited by its current statutory authority to monitoring and reporting, and lacks needed resources, funding and legislative authority. Accordingly, C-ROB is unable to implement this recommendation.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement

1-Year Agency Response

In October 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1688 which would have required CDCR to contract with an external researcher to analyze and report on the effectiveness of its rehabilitative programs, and that C-ROB review and consider that report when making its recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.

Despite this development, C-ROB will continue to monitor the CDCR's efforts to develop appropriate recidivism targets and evaluate the department's progress toward meeting those targets.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending

6-Month Agency Response

In July 2019, AB 1688 was amended to require CDCR to contract with an external researcher to analyze the effectiveness of the department's rehabilitative programs and by July 1, 2024, submit a report to the Legislature and C-ROB. The bill would then require C-ROB to review and discuss the department's report and consider the information provided when making its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to its statutory authority.

However, this bill awaits further legislative action and has not been signed into law as of this date.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

The California State Auditor's January 2019 report (number 2018-113) has been distributed to all members of the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board. The report and its recommendations will be taken up and discussed at the next scheduled publicly noticed meeting on April 17, 2019.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2018-113

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.