ACTION ALERT - Help Us Support AB 2178!
Bill would ensure state prisons do not maintain nearly 19,000 empty state prison beds at taxpayer expense
Last week, Felony Murder Elimination Project featured "California’s budget deficit will force difficult cuts. This one should be the easiest," an opinion piece in the LA Times supporting Assembly Bill 2178. Written by Assemblyperson Phil Ting (D19), who authored the bill, and Amber Rose Howard, Executive Director of Drop LWOP Coalition member Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB), AB 2178 promotes a more efficient and cost-effective use of taxpayer money by eliminating surplus bed capacity, potentially saving billions and paving the way for closing prisons.
According to the Legislative Accounting Office, by 2028, California could have nearly 19,000 prison beds, about one-fifth of the state's total prison capacity. AB 2178 would ensure that state prisons do not maintain this excessive empty bed capacity at taxpayer expense. The bill promotes a more efficient and cost-effective use of taxpayer money by eliminating surplus bed capacity, potentially saving California billions of dollars and continuing to pave the way forward for closing more prisons.
By not squandering resources on excessive prison capacity, we can better direct funds to community-based services that enhance safety and support those who need it most.
Here's how you and your organization can help as the bill prepares to be heard in the California Assembly Appropriations Committee -
CURB has drafted a support letter to Assembly Appropriations Chair Buffy Wicks and would love your organization's sign-on. As CURB Coalition members, closing prisons is our top priority, so Curb will add your organization and logo automatically. Also, feel free to spread the word in support of AB 2178 on your social media networks, using the graphic in this post for a summary of the bill.
Please help us in supporting the mission of CURB to get people free, close down prisons and defund the carceral state!
