Prison expansion is doomed to be a monumental and expensive failure

There were NO legislative hearings and NO public testimony. The people were not part of deciding this vitally important social and fiscal policy. In the name of the people, the legislature is borrowing billions of dollars without taxpayer approval, using expensive lease revenue bonds instead of general obligation bonds.

Unless they’re stopped, Nuñez and his fellow Democrats will actually build cells for another 53,000 Californians. Many will be our neighbors, maybe members of our family. Nunez’ secret deal will create more space to indiscriminately lock up another 19,822 Latinos and another 15,211 African Americans.

Billions spent on prison construction and operations are billions that won’t be spent on the common good. Direly needed programs, like mental health, general healthcare, housing, job training, education etc. will not be funded.

Read More
http://www.sfbayview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=183&Itemid=14