Governor Jerry Brown is asking the legislature for money so that the state doesn’t have to order a mass release of prisoners. Brown’s bill would authorize 315-million dollars to lease private prison space and send more prisoners to out of state facilities.  Fourth District Senator Jim Nielsen, says this is a good start to addressing the overcrowding issues.
Click here to listen to Senator Jim Nielsen

Nielsen is asking the Governor to consider reopening a facility north of Yuba City as well as several Southern California locations.
Click here to listen to Senator Jim Nielsen

Nielsen is also asking Brown to hold a special session to address a long-term solution to build off the current short term plan.
Click here to listen to Senator Jim Nielsen

In response to the Governor, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg presented a plan that would give California  three more years to reduce its prison population with counties getting $200 million a year to expand drug treatment and mental health care for criminal offenders under the proposal.