What’s Driving California’s Shrinking Prison Population?

California’s prisons were so packed fifteen years ago that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled they violated the Constitution. Today, the state’s prison population has decreased dramatically and California is closing prison facilities. Governor Newsom has closed five during his tenure, with the latest – the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, California  –  slated to shut down next fall. We’ll take a closer look at what’s driving the turnaround, and the impact of prison closures on communities and the state’s criminal justice system. Guests: Heather Harris, research fellow specializing in criminal justice, Public Policy Institute of California Caitlin O'Neil, principal fiscal and policy analyst, Legislative Analyst's Office - the California Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal and policy advisor Nigel Duara, justice reporter, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices