It is a weird time for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). If you haven't been keeping a close eye on prison news in california, you might think the system is just "business as usual," but the reality is much more chaotic and, frankly, expensive.
California is basically trying to shrink its way out of a multi-billion-dollar budget hole while simultaneously dealing with a string of violent incidents that have left families searching for answers.
Just this month, in January 2026, we’ve already seen two major homicide investigations kick off. One happened at the California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, where an incarcerated man named Stephenson Kim died after a fight in a housing unit. A few days later, another man, Mario Ramos, was killed in a two-on-one attack at Calipatria State Prison.
It’s heavy stuff. And it raises a massive question: how is the state closing prisons to save money while violence seems to be spiking in the remaining yards?
The Great Shrink: Why More Closures are Coming
Honestly, the state is broke. Or at least, the prison budget is. Despite Gavin Newsom closing four prisons already, the CDCR managed to overspend its budget by nearly $850 million over the last three years.
You've probably heard about the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco. It’s officially on the chopping block. The state announced it will fully deactivate by Fall 2026. Why? Because the population is at its lowest point since the late 1980s—around 91,000 people compared to the staggering 173,000 we saw in 2006.
Closing CRC alone is supposed to save about $150 million a year.
But here’s the kicker: while the population is down, the cost per person is sky-high. We’re talking about a $17.5 billion system. Some advocates, like those at Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB), argue the state is moving too slow. They want more closures, faster.
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What happened to the "San Quentin Transformation"?
You might remember the big splash about San Quentin being renamed the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. It wasn't just a name change for the sake of PR. The state is finishing a massive new educational center there this month—January 2026.
The goal is to move toward the "Scandinavian model," focusing on "dynamic security." Basically, that means guards and incarcerated people actually talking to each other rather than just staring through bars.
It sounds great on paper. But critics are skeptical. It’s hard to build a "rehabilitative college campus" inside a 170-year-old fortress that still has crumbling infrastructure and a history of trauma.
New Laws and Rights: What Changes in 2026?
If you’re looking for prison news in california regarding legal rights, there are some pretty big shifts happening right now. Several bills from the 2025-2026 session are finally hitting the ground.
One of the most significant changes involves how body-worn cameras are used. New policies are being hammered out to make sure staff don’t just "accidentally" turn off cameras during "incidents." There's also a new push for transparency regarding sexual abuse.
Incarcerated people now have the right to request an advocate during "invasive" searches—think strip searches or body scans.
Then there’s the Racial Justice Act. As of January 1, 2026, the eligibility for people to seek relief under this act has expanded. Now, almost anyone with a felony conviction or a juvenile case that led to a DJJ commitment can petition the court if they can prove racial bias played a role in their case.
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The Prop 36 Factor
We can't talk about the population without mentioning Proposition 36, which passed in late 2024. This is the "tough on crime" pivot that many people expected.
Because Prop 36 increased penalties for certain retail theft and drug crimes, the downward trend in the prison population might actually stall. The state's own budget analysts are projecting a slight "near-term" increase in the number of people being sent to state prison.
It’s a tug-of-war. On one side, you have the Governor trying to close cells to save money. On the other, you have new laws that might fill them back up.
Mental Health and the "Coleman" Case
California is still under the thumb of the federal courts when it comes to mental health. The long-running Coleman v. Newsom case is still active because the state just hasn't met the marks for "constitutional" care.
To try and fix this, the state just opened a new 50-bed mental health crisis facility at the California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino. They're spending over $4 million a year just to staff that one unit.
The problem is staffing. CDCR is struggling to find enough psychiatric technicians and doctors who want to work in a prison environment. Even with virtual career fairs—one of which happened just last week with 240 registrants—the vacancy rates in medical departments are still a nightmare.
The Rebranding of CALPIA
Here’s a detail most people missed: the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) is gone.
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Well, not gone, but rebranded. It’s now the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority.
The state says this isn't just a "lipstick on a pig" situation. They claim the focus is shifting away from just "making license plates" to actual workforce development. They want people coming out of prison with certifications in coding, underwater welding, and commercial driving.
Does it work? Some data suggests it does reduce recidivism, but for the average person inside, getting into these programs is still like winning the lottery—there are way more applicants than spots.
Key Takeaways for Families and Advocates
If you have a loved one inside or you're just following the policy shifts, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Closure Timelines: If your loved one is at CRC in Norco, expect transfer orders to start ramping up as the Fall 2026 deadline approaches.
- Safety Alerts: With the recent homicides at Calipatria and CMF, internal "lockdowns" or modified programs are common. Always check the CDCR "Facility Status" page before driving hours for a visit.
- Legal Petitions: If there was evidence of racial bias in a case, 2026 is the year the doors open for more people to file petitions under the expanded Racial Justice Act.
- Medical Care: If care is being denied, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has been given more teeth lately to investigate anonymous grievances.
The system is trying to change, but it's like turning an aircraft carrier in a bathtub. It’s slow, messy, and someone usually ends up getting wet.
Stay informed by checking the CDCR's "Week in Review" and keeping tabs on the Office of the Inspector General reports. Those are the only places you’ll get the raw data before it gets filtered through a political lens.