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CDCR delays some ADA and cooling projects, reprioritizes roofs amid facility review
Summary
CDCR told lawmakers it is re-evaluating facility needs and has withdrawn or reduced scope on several capital proposals in the May revision — including delaying some ADA accessibility work and narrowing an air cooling pilot — while proposing reappropriation for roof and kitchen repairs.
CDCR told the Senate budget subcommittee it is conducting a comprehensive review of prison facilities and is pausing or narrowing several capital outlay requests in the May revision to align projects with anticipated closures and long-term planning.
Dave Lewis, director of facility planning and construction management for CDCR, said the department is reviewing long-term facility needs and will not start new construction until it is clear which prisons, if any, will close. “We are committed to not starting anything new as far as new construction or new projects until we're sure of which prison will close so we don't end up needing to invest money unnecessarily in a prison that's closed,” Lewis said.
Department of Finance and LAO witnesses explained that the administration withdrew a January proposal for $22 million in one-time General Fund requested for ADA improvements and narrowed an air-cooling pilot from four institutions to three. LAO analysts flagged that delaying ADA improvements — which have been required by court oversight — is a postponement of legally required work and could raise legal risk and future costs.
The administration proposed reappropriating roof funding from the 2023–24 budget act and funding for kitchen repairs, and added requests related to fire watch coverage and fire-alarm repairs. CDCR said it would tailor cooling and ADA investments as part of a broader, facility-wide planning effort.
