Profligate state stiffs released prisoners

The state spends $15 billion a year on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with the cost of incarcerating an inmate topping $132,000 a year.

We’re all for cutting spending wherever possible, but sometimes a cost saving fits the saying, “penny wise and pound foolish.”

In other words, it’s silly to obsess over tiny expenses while being profligate with big stuff.

CalMatters recently published a report about a class-action lawsuit filed by the UC Berkeley Criminal Law & Justice Center alleging that California state prisons have been stiffing freed inmates portions of the measly $200 they receive upon exit.

It notes that the state spends $5 million in providing “gate money” to 30,000 people each year.

This program isn’t a major expense in the scheme of things and provides crucial assistance at a vulnerable time. As CalMatters added, “According to a 2008 report by the Stanford Criminal Justice Center, the first 72 hours after someone is released from prison are paramount to the success of their long-term re-entry.”

Yet according to the lawsuit, “CDCR has promulgated policies and regulations directing its employees to give people less than the statutorily required $200.”

For example, in direct contravention of (the penal code), CDCR promulgated a regulation that directs its employees to deduct the cost of release apparel and transportation from people’s release money.

We don’t usually align with the Berkeley Center, run by former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, but it’s correct.

The $200 payment was approved by Gov. Ronald Reagan in the 1970s for sound reasons. After serving time, a person needs a little cash to get transportation, temporary accommodations and food and avoid ending up on the streets or being tempted back into crime.

CalMatters added that Gov. Gavin Newsom cited cost concerns when vetoing a bill to raise the payment, which hasn’t increased for decades despite rising inflation.

Again, saving taxpayer cash is great, but this is an absurd place for a profligate state government to cut costs.

At the very least, prison officials should stop making deductions from gate money.