Loading....

TAKE ACTION! Email State Officials TODAY by following the steps below

This toolkit was updated 4/7 to reflect upcoming hearing agendas!

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget increases Corrections spending to $18.86 BILLION and fails to commit to closing additional prisons, despite a falling prison population, bed surplus of 14,000, and the recognition of significant savings from past prison closures. It is unacceptable that the state continues to expand an already bloated Corrections budget while vital resources like Medi-Cal, nutrition assistance, and housing & houseless services are slashed and under-invested in due to federal rollbacks and the state deficit.

Additionally, the overall cost of incarceration remains unsustainable. The budget highlights a growing crisis that will continue to drive costs upward: California is incarcerating more than 19,000 people aged 55 and older. Incarcerating elderly, low-risk people can cost $200,000–$300,000+ per person each year. That’s an inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice. You can read more about the 2026-27 Proposed Corrections Budget in CURB's overview here.

Take less than 1 minute to urge Governor Newsom and members of the legislature to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into community-based services that create real safety and stability.

We just need a few pieces of information to connect you with your representatives.

Email Address*

First Name*

Last Name*

Address, line 1*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

I'd like to receive updates from this organization

We will never share your email address. Ever.

Take Action

Take Action: Use the prewritten emails below. Feel free to customize!

Click the "Send Email" button at the very bottom to send all 7 emails

Health & Human Services Subcommittees

Subject: Reduce Corrections Costs, Protect Health & Human Services

Message:

Dear Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee Members: I am urging you to look to the Corrections budget as a continued source of savings that can be redirected to critical health and human services currently at risk due to state and federal cuts. It is a policy choice to prioritize a growing corrections budget of $18.86 billion, an increase of more than $618 million compared to last year’s Enacted Budget, while abandoning funding for low-income housing programs, failing to provide new funding to address homelessness, proposing no meaningful action to address cuts to Medi-cal, unfulfilling commitments to child care funding promised in 2021-22, cutting healthcare for immigrants, and the list goes on. Such austerity measures are compounded by federal threats and put hard-won progress at risk, especially as the Trump administration is actively defunding evidence-based homelessness solutions, cutting food assistance programs, and taking healthcare away from millions of Californians. These cuts can be offset. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget underscores what members of the legislature, advocates, and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. Despite this, the budget fails to commit to additional closures. The LAO recommends that the state close at least 5 additional state prisons. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. Additionally, the budget highlights a growing crisis that will continue to drive Corrections costs upward: California is incarcerating more than 19,000 people aged 55 and older. Incarcerating elderly, low-risk people can cost $200,000–$300,000+ per person each year. That’s an inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice. There is no public safety justification for keeping people living with dementia and terminal illness behind bars. The time is now to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure on a clear timeline aligned with population decline, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into health and human services that create real safety and stability. Thank you for your time.

Characters remaining:

Environment and Climate Subcommittees

Subject: Reduce Prison Spending, Fund Climate Action

Message:

Dear Climate Budget Subcommittee Members: I am urging you to look to the Corrections budget as a continued source of savings that can be redirected to climate programs and social safety net services our communities urgently need, especially as costs rise and federal threats compound. I was glad to see funding for initiatives like Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) and Community Resilience Centers (CRC) in the proposed budget. This is a critical step toward reducing pollution, lowering costs, and improving disaster preparedness. However, the proposed budget fails to properly fund existing equity-centered clean transportation programs, which risks slowing progress in the most pollution-burdened communities. Additionally, the cost of climate emergencies, for people inside and out of prisons, remains too high. Due to increasing affordability issues, compounded by historic federal cuts, one in five Californians cannot cover a $1,000 emergency expense, with communities of color and low-income communities facing the greatest burden. Climate related emergencies pose a massive threat to our incarcerated communities as well. More than half of California’s state prisons are vulnerable to one or more climate hazards. Despite this, the Office of Inspector General Audit of CDCR’s natural disaster preparedness and mitigation reveals that evacuation in the case of a climate crisis could take more than 72 hours. The risks of these climate hazards and lack of preparedness pose an even greater threat to people aged 55 and older, a growing population in California prisons—currently at 19,000 people. These issues can be addressed and climate hazards mitigated. These shortfalls can be addressed by pulling from the Corrections budget. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget underscores what members of the legislature, advocates, and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. Despite this acknowledgement and a steadily decreasing prison population, the proposed budget does not commit to additional prison closures, and it actually proposes a $618 M increase in funding for Corrections. The LAO recommends that the state close at least 5 additional state prisons. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. The time is now to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to do the following: identify additional prisons for closure, prioritizing those particularly vulnerable to climate hazards; expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into emergency preparedness and climate initiatives that protect Californians. Thank you for your time.

Characters remaining:

State Administration Subcommittees

Subject: Reduce Prison Spending, Fund Housing

Message:

Budget Subcommittee Members on State Administration: I am urging you to look to the Corrections budget as a continued source of savings that can be redirected to the housing and other services our communities urgently need as costs rise and federal threats compound. Failing to effectively protect social safety net services now will increase long-term costs. This is not humane or responsible budgeting. It is a policy choice to prioritize a growing corrections budget of $18.86 billion, an increase of more than $618 million compared to last year’s Enacted Budget, while abandoning funding for low-income housing programs and failing to provide new funding to address homelessness. Shockingly, the Governor’s budget proposes $1 billion from the General Fund and $1.9 billion overall for Housing & Homelessness services – state funding for Corrections is 9 times that amount. Such austerity measures are compounded by federal threats and put hard-won progress at risk, especially as the Trump administration is actively defunding evidence-based homelessness solutions, cutting food assistance programs, and taking healthcare away from millions of Californians. These cuts can be offset. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget underscores what members of the legislature, advocates, and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. CDCR currently maintains 14,000 empty prison beds. Despite this, the proposed budget fails to commit to additional prison closures. The LAO recommends that the state close at least 5 additional state prisons. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. The time is now to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure on a clear timeline aligned with population decline, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into health and human services that create real safety and stability. Thank you for your time.

Characters remaining:

Public Safety Budget Subcommittees

Subject: Take Action - Reduce CDCR spending and release our elders

Message:

Dear Public Safety Budget Subcommittee Members: I am writing today to urge members of this budget subcommittee to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure on a clear timeline aligned with population decline, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into community-based services that create real safety and stability. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget proposes $618 Million in additional funding to Corrections and fails to commit to closing additional prisons, despite a falling prison population and the recognition of significant savings from past prison closures. It is unacceptable that the state continues to expand an already bloated Corrections budget while vital resources like Medi-Cal, nutrition assistance, and housing & homelessness services are slashed due to federal rollbacks and the state deficit. The Governor’s Budget underscores what members of this committee, advocates, and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. Prison and facility closures, deactivations, and contract terminations will have saved approximately $4.9 billion in cumulative savings by 2027-28. CDCR reports that prison closures are expected to save about $594 million annually by 2027-28. Additional prison closures are a key, underutilized solution to achieving additional savings that can be invested in areas our communities are being hit the hardest by federal cuts like those enacted under HR 1. The LAO recommends that the state closes 5 additional prisons, given that the prison system currently maintains 14,000 empty beds – a number that continues to grow as the prison population declines. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. This is what real public safety looks like. Additionally, the budget highlights a growing crisis that will continue to drive costs upward: California is incarcerating more than 19,000 people aged 55 and older. Incarcerating elderly, low-risk people can cost $200,000–$300,000+ per person each year. That’s an inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice. There is no public safety justification for keeping people living with dementia and terminal illness behind bars. The proposed budget does not adequately protect our communities from the impending impacts of HR 1, continued federal rollbacks, and the state deficit. It is imperative that we look to CDCR’s budget for additional sources of funding that our communities so urgently need in this dire moment. Thank you for your time.

Characters remaining:

Education and Education Finance Budget Subcommittees

Subject: Reduce Prison Spending, Fund Education

Message:

Dear Education Budget Subcommittee Members: I am urging you to look to the Corrections budget as a continued source of savings that can be redirected to education and safety net services our communities urgently need as costs rise and federal cuts sink in. I was hopeful to see that the proposed budget includes significant new investments that address rising costs to schools and colleges and boosts funding for TK-14 schools and community colleges. This is a critical step toward ensuring education access and protecting against federal cuts. However, as the CA Budget & Policy Center reports, there are still major challenges ahead to ensure the state provides the resources to meet student needs, needs that also extend beyond education. Federal cuts to vital health care and safety net programs put students and families at greater risk of being able to make ends meet, thus putting their educational success at a greater risk. Some of the initiatives that have been excluded from the proposed budget and need additional investments include the University of California’s (UC) Workforce Development & Career Readiness, programs serving justice-impacted students like the Underground Scholars Initiative, and on-campus CA Food Banks that ensure student access to fresh and nutritious food. The impacts of these cuts can be prevented. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget underscores what members of the legislature, advocates, and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. Despite this acknowledgement and a steadily decreasing prison population, the proposed budget does not commit to additional prison closures, and it actually proposes a $618 M increase in funding for Corrections. The LAO recommends that the state close at least 5 additional state prisons. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. The time is now to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure on a clear timeline aligned with population decline, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into education and social safety nets, proven to create real safety and stability. Thank you for your time.

Characters remaining:

Accountability and Oversight

Subject: Thank you for your comments at the 3/18 Hearing - Please Hold CDCR Accountable

Message:

Dear Accountability & Oversight Budget Subcommittee Members: Thank you for holding a special hearing on 3/18 to discuss CDCR. CDCR has a long track record of abuse and wasteful spending. It is time the state holds them accountable by reducing the department’s excessive budget, expanding pathways to release and decarceration, and redirecting funds to communities. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget underscores what members of the legislature, advocates, and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. Yet, the proposed budget does not include any additional prison closures. As a committee focused on preventing wasteful spending, I urge you to require CDCR and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure on a clear timeline aligned with population decline, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into safety net services currently facing federal cuts. Prison and facility closures, deactivations, and contract terminations will have saved approximately $4.9 billion in cumulative savings by 2027-28. CDCR reports that prison closures are expected to save about $594 million annually by 2027-28. The LAO recommends closing 5 additional prisons since CDCR currently maintains 14,000 empty beds. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. While existing closure commitments represent an important step forward, the overall cost of incarceration remains unsustainable. The budget highlights a growing crisis that will continue to drive costs upward: California is incarcerating more than 19,000 people aged 55 and older. Incarcerating elderly, low-risk people can cost $200,000–$300,000+ per person each year. That’s an inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice. There is no public safety justification for keeping people living with dementia and terminal illness behind bars. It is a policy choice to prioritize a growing corrections budget of $18.86 billion, an increase of more than $618 million compared to last year’s Enacted Budget, while abandoning funding for low-income housing programs, failing to provide new funding to address homelessness, proposing no meaningful action to address cuts to Medi-cal, unfulfilling commitments to child care funding promised in 2021-22, maintains healthcare cuts to immigrants, and more. These cuts are compounded by federal threats and put hard-won progress at risk, especially as the Trump administration is actively defunding evidence-based homelessness solutions, cutting food assistance programs, and taking healthcare away from millions of Californians. The time is now to take a deep look at the Corrections budget to offset cuts.

Characters remaining:

Governor Newsom

Subject: Close more prisons & expand pathways to release to offset federal budget cuts

Message:

Dear Governor Newsom, I am writing today to urge you, CDCR, and the Department of Finance to identify additional prisons for closure on a clear timeline aligned with population decline, expand and strengthen pathways to release—especially for elders and medically vulnerable people—and redirect closure savings into community-based services that create real safety and stability. The Proposed 2026–27 Budget proposes $618 Million in additional funding to Corrections and fails to commit to closing additional prisons, despite a falling prison population and the recognition of significant savings from past prison closures. It is unacceptable that the state continues to expand an already bloated Corrections budget while vital resources like Medi-Cal, nutrition assistance, and housing & homelessness services are slashed due to federal rollbacks and the state deficit. The Budget underscores what community members and fiscal experts have long noted: prison closures generate significant, ongoing General Fund savings as California’s prison population declines. Prison and facility closures, deactivations, and contract terminations will have saved approximately $4.9 billion in cumulative savings by 2027-28. CDCR reports that prison closures are expected to save about $594 million annually by 2027-28. Additional prison closures are a key, underutilized solution to achieving additional savings that can be invested in areas our communities are being hit the hardest by federal cuts like those enacted under HR 1. The LAO recommends that the state closes 5 additional prisons, given that the prison system currently maintains 14,000 empty beds – a number that continues to grow as the prison population declines. These 5 prison closures would save the state about $1.5 billion ongoing, in addition to about 1 billion in prison infrastructure projects – money that should be shifted into vital services that save and improve lives. This is what real public safety looks like. Additionally, the budget highlights a growing crisis that will continue to drive costs upward: California is incarcerating more than 19,000 people aged 55 and older. Incarcerating elderly, low-risk people can cost $200,000–$300,000+ per person each year. That’s an inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice. There is no public safety justification for keeping people living with dementia and terminal illness behind bars. The proposed budget does not adequately protect our communities from the impending impacts of HR 1, continued federal rollbacks, and the state deficit. It is imperative that we look to CDCR’s budget for additional sources of funding that our communities so urgently need in this dire moment. Thank you for your time.

Characters remaining:

Checkout

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!

Follow Us

Checkout

Follow Us

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!