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CDCR outlines plans for a prison closure, consultant-led efficiency work and cuts to radio replacement in May revision
Summary
CDCR and the Department of Finance described proposals in the May revision that could close an additional state prison by October 2026, pursue administrative efficiency savings with outside consultants, and defer a $19.8 million public-safety radio replacement; legislators pressed for more details and community notice.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials told the Senate subcommittee they are preparing for a possible prison closure by October 2026 and are pursuing administrative efficiencies, but they have not selected a facility or released a final plan.
Cynthia Mendoza, deputy director of CDCR’s Office of Fiscal Services, told the committee CDCR proposes a reduction driven by lowered prison population projections and aims to close an additional prison by Oct. 2026. “At this point, no prison has been selected,” Mendoza said, and the department pledged to “make all efforts to mitigate the impact on affected staff and the incarcerated population.” Mendoza also described budget increases requested for legal costs tied to court monitoring and for family liaison and gender-responsive contract services.
Finance officials described a three-month scoping contract with Boston Consulting Group and a proposed follow-up $20 million contract to go deeper on headquarters efficiencies, contract management, overtime, and health-care delivery. Kimberly Harbison of the Department of Finance said the focus is administrative and headquarters-level: “It’s not about program delivery. It’s about being efficient in how they operate.” Patrick Plant of Finance said the administration supports the May revision overall.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office expressed concern about the lack of detail in the contractor proposal and recommended the legislature ask for reporting requirements and contingency plans. LAO analysts also warned that withdrawing the radio replacement funding is effectively a delay of necessary spending and could increase safety risks because much of CDCR’s radio equipment has exceeded its life cycle and is no longer supported by manufacturers.
Several senators pressed CDCR and Finance for a list of prisons under consideration for closure and for criteria used to select sites, and requested options within 30 days. Senator D'Arousso said repeated requests for criteria in past budget cycles had not yielded adequate information. CDCR officials said they are using population, security needs, health needs, staffing availability and Penal Code provisions to inform decisions but gave no short list. CDCR said closure planning must allow about 12 months for operations once a decision is made.
Why it matters: A prison closure affects staff, local economies and services and requires advance planning to mitigate community impacts. The committee repeatedly sought more detail and earlier community engagement than the department has provided.
What’s next: Senators asked CDCR to provide options and the criteria it is considering within 30 days, and to suggest alternative budget cuts if the committee wants to restore funding for radios or ADA projects.
