State: Bakersfield, McFarland prisons not needed
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California officials say a drop in the number of minimum-security inmates is allowing them to end contracts with the companies that operate three private prisons.
The move will save the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation about $15 million a year. The private prisons in Baker, Bakersfield and McFarland once housed a total of 822 inmates.
Department officials said Monday they may seek new proposals to use the prisons for female inmates.
About 2,500 fewer minimum-security inmates are in prison than a year ago. The department credits a new policy that diverts many parole violators who commit relatively minor offenses to community programs instead of sending them back to prison.
The move will save the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation about $15 million a year. The private prisons in Baker, Bakersfield and McFarland once housed a total of 822 inmates.
Department officials said Monday they may seek new proposals to use the prisons for female inmates.
About 2,500 fewer minimum-security inmates are in prison than a year ago. The department credits a new policy that diverts many parole violators who commit relatively minor offenses to community programs instead of sending them back to prison.
