Prison System Condemned in Concealed Report by Independent Review Panel

Los Angeles, CA California's prison system has been condemned in a 400 page report that to this day has been basically concealed from the public. The report, of the Corrections Independent Review Panel cost the State over a million dollars and took five months of intensive investigations to complete, was presented to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Department of Corrections in June of 2004. Heading the review panel was former California Governor George Deukmejian, appointed by the Governor to investigate the Department of Corrections with the assistance of a cadre of law enforcement experts representing many agencies and associations. Here is the Executive Summary posted on the Department of Corrections website.

The Full Disclosure Network® presents this ten minute video presentation featuring Joe Gunn, Executive Director of Corrections Independent Review Panel told FDN host Leslie Dutton the prison system was in "chaos, a disaster and total disarray". This is the second in a series of FDN video news blogs covering the ongoing crisis in California's jail and prison system. DVDs of the series are available for purchase.

Here are a few of the many points covered in the video and report:

The panel spent months reviewing reports and materials from Office of Inspector General, Little Hoover Commission, State Auditor.
Interviewed current and former members of Governor's Staff, State Legislators, current and former members of Department of Corrections staff, California Youth Authority, Office of Inspector General staff, members of the Little Hoover Commission, leadership of the CCPOA (prison guards association), experts in the field and concerned citizens, totally 470 people altogether.
The panel presented 239 recommendations to reform the state's correctional system.
Listed as some of the major problems are: Ethics, "code of silence", Union/labor contracts and influence over management, union campaign donations, use of force, accountability, and youthful offenders.

Known as "the news behind the news" the Full Disclosure Network® is seen on 43 cable systems and the Internet website at www.fulldisclosure.net In 2002 the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented host Leslie Dutton with an Emmy for the 2001 public affairs series entitled "L.A.'s War Against Terrorism" featuring LAPD Chief Bernard Parks, L.A. County Sheriff Leroy Baca, L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley Thomas and Police Union Director, LAPD Captain Ken Hillman. Channels and airtimes can be found on the website.

Comments to date: 92. This is page 1 of 10.


JULIE CA	Posted: 05:55 pm [PST] on November 29 2008
GET RID OF THE GUARDS UNION

Patricia Victorville, CA	Posted: 06:52 pm [PST] on November 20 2008
A recidivism rate of 70% - desite all that money poured into the prison system? California is locking up far more individuals than those who are truly dangerous to society. Once caught up in the system, it seems they are set up to fail. Meanwhile, education funding is being cut. Social services are being cut. T

Buchanan San Diego	Posted: 08:48 am [PST] on November 19 2008
Human rights have to take center stage.

docswife san diego	Posted: 04:27 pm [PST] on November 18 2008
The CCOPA is a disgrace and should be fired now. The Governor should be held accountable for his inaction in this situation. It is his job to have the best interest of the citizens of California and he has failed miserably. Until people wake up and see what is going on and stop believing everything these politicians say nothing will change. Another way is when one of their own is arrested and thrown to the wolves then they will see the total corruption that happens behind those walls. As long as no press is allowed to investigate and report the truth nothing is ever going to change. Any and all good changes that could have been make the Governor refused to sign them. He should be held accountable for the cover up regarding corrections. Hopefully people will get their heads out of the sand.

Tony Cantero Diamond Bar 91765	Posted: 01:58 pm [PST] on November 16 2008
CCPOA must be exposed for what they really are; an organization to rape the tax payers of CA ‼ The majority of prison inmates are non-violent offenders who are better off on house arrest (wearing an electronic monitoring device while using their residence as their prison).

Kirama Reno NV	Posted: 07:12 am [PST] on November 14 2008
The California prison system is broken beyond repair.

Morris1 Riverside County	Posted: 07:26 am [PST] on November 13 2008
Everything in this news report came true. Nothing still has been done and it should be criminal the way this has been handled. Corrections is a black hole of overspending and the CCPOA has far to much power. They work for the State, not the other way around. Our legislators are useless talking heads that do nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They are constantly campaigning so nothing gets done. This report is over a year old and still applies. Now the state is bankrupt and still nothing has been done to bring down the prison population. We just keep locking up everyone. Money will be what finally moves this debacle. Californians have no idea how dysfunctional and corrupt the Corrections in this state are. The Federal Government has not done much better. They have been in control for 2 years. Not much has changed. Now there is no money for the changes that need to be made. A SENTENCING COMMISSION TO RIP APART THE DRACONIAN SENTENCING LAWS IS THE ONLY WAY TO BRING DOWN THE POPULATION. The Governor needs to govern and stop posing for the cameras. Our legislators need to earn their per diem. Do their jobs!

Madhatter Indiana	Posted: 06:46 am [PST] on November 13 2008
My son is in the reprehensible CA prison system. The conditions and practices of CDCR affect not only the inmates, but the families.

Leslie Dutton Los Angeles	Posted: 07:19 pm [PST] on May 12 2008
Luis: Take a look at this video blog "Top Cops Favor Concealed Weapon Permits" and let me know how you like it. http://www.fulldisclosure.net/flash/VideoBlogs/VideoBlog31.php

Luis Duarte	Posted: 06:53 pm [PST] on May 12 2008
Leslie Dutton needs to stop being so pro criminal and post more important topics on here.