Gov. Calls for New Spending on Prisons

Schwarzenegger urged lawmakers into action less than a week after a federal court monitor sharply rebuked him for retreating from prison reforms he had promised after taking office in 2003. Some critics called the governor's move an election-year political gimmick.

Addressing the California District Attorneys Assn. in Newport Beach, the Republican governor made no mention of the monitor's critique, which accused Schwarzenegger's top aides of allowing the state prison guards' union undue influence over prison policy and management.

In his speech, Schwarzenegger offered a four-part plan that he said would relieve overcrowding in the nation's largest prison system and would help more convicts stay crime-free once released.

With the inmate population at an all-time high and 16,000 inmates sleeping in gyms, hallways and even outside at one prison, the governor said California "desperately'' needs more cells. He embraced a bill by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) to use lease revenue bonds, which do not require voter approval, to build two prisons for at least $500 million apiece. And he asked for authority to expedite spending and contracting.

Schwarzenegger revived a proposal to shift 4,500 low-risk female inmates to private correctional centers closer to their homes. He also called for moving thousands of male convicts near the end of their sentences to other detention facilities, to better prepare them for success upon release -- and free up prison beds.

The special session begins today and is concurrent with the Legislature's regular session. Although the governor urged passage of his proposals by August, lawmakers are not required to act.

Meeting in special session allows lawmakers to bypass many legislative rules and adopt bills more quickly. Any legislation approved would take effect 90 days after the session concluded.

A spokesman for the guards union, the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., said the call for new prisons was "welcome,'' given that most of the state's lockups are at twice their intended capacities. But the spokesman, Lance Corcoran, said that building them would not alleviate the immediate crisis, which he called dangerous for inmates and staff alike.