Perata Sends Schwarzenegger Strongly Worded Message on Prisons as Committee Approves New Corrections Head

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Candid comments in hearing and no nonsense letter to Governor lay out the problems in department and demand action

By Frank D. Russo

Senate President pro Tem Don Perata sent Governor Schwarzenegger a strongly worded letter about the state prisons shortly after the Senate Rules Committee unanimously confirmed James Tilton as Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

Perata's letter advises the Governor that CDCR, which is in charge of the prisons, is structurally flawed, still misses key leadership appointments, fails to meet basic objectives including establishing a clear chain of command, and has repeatedly not responded to direct court orders.

Tilton's confirmation will now go to the full Senate where he should have no problem receiving final approval. While Tilton had many supporters testify on his behalf, there were many in attendance who personally testified or submitted information of horror problems experienced by inmates in the system.

The committee held two long hearings delving into the many problems faced by the prison system and its managers before taking the vote.

At the hearing, Perata said to Tilton:

"I have been consistently impressed by your grasp of the problems and your pragmatic approach. What has concerned me and still does is that you are given a free enough hand without undue political interference to do your job.

"Most of the things that you and I have talked about and other members have talked about are situations that can be remedied if the will is there, and, of course, if you have the financial resources in many instances.

"It occurs to me that there's something wrong when the Governor's office can get a new Air Board Chief in 24 hours, but it's been two years to fill some of your positions. There is just something flat wrong with that."

Perata continued: