While we're talking about CA prisons...

let's not forget CA's Juvenile Justice System. Mother Jones has a worthwhile commentary by Ben Wyskida about our do nothing action figure governor on this issue. If you are not current on the system here is some background:

"With nine warehouse-style prisons, the Department of Juvenile Justice houses over 3,000 youth. About a fifth are in for "violent" crimes. The rest are in for misdemeanors ranging from shoplifting and petty theft to drug possession. All of them need help, and the DJJ has a constitutional state mandate to "rehabilitate" these wards.

The worst part: It doesn't work! With a 75 percent recidivism rate and a price tag of $82,000 per kid per year, California's is one of the nation's most expensive, least effective juvenile justice systems. Read that again: most expensive; least effective."

So what do we do? Ignore the real problem, continue to build more prisons so we can house them when they are adults and wash our hands. That's just GREAT! Here's one positive idea--Books Not Bars. And, don't miss the cartoon--Action Heros in Office.