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Shutting another California prison is a public safety risk

June 16, 2026

Opinion by California Police Chief and State Sheriff’s associations

The California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs’ Association today expressed strong opposition to the Legislature’s proposal to close another California state prison as part of the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget package.

Over the past decade, California has dramatically reduced its prison population while shifting increasing responsibility for long-term incarceration to county jails. As a result, local correctional systems now house inmates for years at a time, face ongoing overcrowding pressures, and absorb substantial legal, operational, and fiscal burdens that were never intended to fall on local governments.

Despite these challenges, the state has already closed multiple correctional facilities and continues to reduce available prison capacity.

Joint Statement from the California Police Chiefs Association and California State Sheriffs’ Association:

“California cannot continue shrinking its prison system while expecting county jails to absorb the consequences. Local jails were never designed to house inmates for years at a time, yet counties are increasingly forced to manage long-term offenders, overcrowding pressures, costly litigation, and significant operational burdens.

“Closing another state prison without a comprehensive assessment of future correctional needs risks further straining local governments, reducing flexibility during emergencies, and shifting even more costs and responsibilities onto communities already carrying an outsized share of the burden.

“Public safety decisions should be driven by long-term operational realities, not short-term budget calculations.”

The associations urge the Legislature and Governor to reject any additional prison closures at least until a comprehensive review of state and local correctional capacity, long-term incarceration trends, and the impacts on county jail systems can be completed and considered.

 


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9 Comments

Closing the prisons is a huge mistake, and its a HUGE statement to criminals. IF we keep allowing our judges to offer no consequences for criminal activity what are we as a society? We already have chaos. To me it’s incredibly disrespectful to the good citizens to allow criminals to create havoc with barely a consequence. And as Francesca mentioned Recidivism is a costly game! IT’s doesn’t save our State or County to slap a hand lightly, just to let them back on the street to commit offenses again and again? Doesn’t a civil society matter anymore? Perhaps if we had stricter punishments , not only would we live in a safer, more sane society. But these “Criminals” would think twice about offending. The Judges seem to forget, that when a criminal commits a crime, there is a “Victim” involved. Some of these Judges have more empathy for criminals, than they do for VICTIMS! And that is unacceptable!


3

Meanwhile Newsome refuses to fund prop 36


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Incarcerating individuals is staggeringly expensive. Allowing them to go free without consequences is insane. Our main issue is recidivism. Our criminals seem to end up even more likely to commit when they get out. Having them recommit, chased down and reincarcerated, so consistently, is eating up a fortune that could be better spent.


In Scandinavian countries and elsewhere, the perp is viewed as “poorly socialized”. One way of putting it. So, they concentrate on resocializing them. More education, etc. In very many cases, it works. So, their costs are substantially reduced.


How come the geniuses in our government don’t bring our criminal justice system up to the standards of other countries so we could have more money for better schools and hospitals, etc.? Or are they too committed to lining the pockets of their private prison buddies? Asking for a friend.


6

My brother works as a guard at Chino state prison and its slated to close this year…

He use to work at CMC and said he hears its filling up fast… so he may try and return…


10

A comprehensive assessment of future correctional needs should include the potential incarceration of corrupt politicians, tyrannical bureaucrats and law enforcement.


3

Reopen the closed ones and then build more! Crime without consequences for the criminal only creates more crime!


24

This is all part of California’s trend over the past few decades to pass the buck on incarceration. Look at our local CMC, which I’ve toured. The state cut the population in half not long ago. Not for a lack of occupants. In fact, we have far more criminals now… as we continue to import them out of “compassion” in our so called sanctuary state and cities. This is suicidal empathy, and we are suckers for letting it happen. It won’t change, unless we have a change in management, so vote. (and vote often! LOL!) In the meantime, watch your back and buy a gun.


43

Ive been out working at the main jail on Kansas Ave., and my heart goes out to both prisoners and the sheriffs and staff there. I never thought I’d say it, but we’ve made a big mess closing prisons.

We are serving nobody well with the current model of incarceration. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and it’s very disheartening. Support your local Sheriff!


33

These associations lose a lot of jobs with each closure. How about including some data/analysis with your argument to keep these prisons opened? Is crime increasing? Are alternative methods of incarceration not working or haven’t worked elsewhere? I know almost nothing on this issue. Some info would help.


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