Talk to your unions, and talk to your local State representatives.
My question is for those working closely with Secretary Macomber, closely with those in the legislature, and most importantly, the UNIONS, in the unlikely event that you see this.
Regarding Secretary's statement:
“This is a challenging budget year for the state, and every department is being asked to operate more efficiently. CDCR and CCHCS will be carefully managing resources, holding some headquarters positions vacant, identifying savings and making thoughtful decisions to address future budget reductions while maintaining our commitment to public safety and essential operations."
The governor keeps cutting our budget and our legislature even questions why we continue to go over budget despite cuts and closures. Why is no one stepping up and explaining that what they are demanding is contradictory?
They say CDCR needs to focus more on rehabilitation programs and prepare inmates for life after release. But what our law makers can't seem to comprehend is that, that requires staff. You can't increase programs and reduce staff/safety/security. Inmates are waiting years for some classes, due to cuts... but somehow, that's CDCRs fault.
They say CDCR keeps going over budget, but keep paying out litigation, settlements, etc. They keep creating laws that require costly operational upgrades, but don't factor that into when discussing budget the following year.
They say CDCR has a responsibility to keep inmates safe, but put officers under investigation for UOF, even within policy.
I've sat in on groups where even the inmates say that the department has fallen too far, where they're understaffed, over capacity, and have ineffective rehabilitation programs.
Why isn't the CDCR executive team speaking on this? Why aren't your unions, especially CCPOA, standing up for you and protecting your pay and safety? They should be demanding more transparency (and literacy) from our law makers and the media who put officers in danger with their misleading reporting. BU6: You guys have a voice--demand that someone listens.