No prison visits June 26-27 in CA state prisons--citing budget crisis

The Reporter, Vacaville, CA
Posted: 06/17/2010 01:02:17 AM PDT

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has canceled visitations at all 33 of the state's adult prison facilities -- including California State Prison, Solano, and California Medical Facility in Vacaville -- for the weekend of June 26 and 27.

Citing the ongoing state budget crisis and the impact of staff furloughs, prison officials said the one-weekend suspension of visits is just one of a number of steps the corrections department is taking to "respond to the state budget crisis." In addition to the cancellation of visits, the department is redirecting staff in custody posts, has restricted all hiring and is delaying some purchasing and contracts, officials noted.

Wardens at the adult prison facilities were notified about the cancellation of visits on Tuesday, a CDCR spokesman said.

The decision isn't the first time the department has suspended or canceled visitations due to the state's budget situation. Last year, the agency canceled its "Third Day Visiting Program" at prisons throughout the state, ending expanded visiting that included Friday visits for inmates who participated in rehabilitation programs.

For more information on CDCR visiting policies, visit www.cdcr.ca. gov/Visitors/ index.html.


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