The mission of the California Department of Corrections (CDC) is to improve public safety through evidence-based crime prevention and recidivism reduction strategies - an honorable mission, but one which is not being carried out, according to the Little Hoover Ciommission (California, 2004; Little, 2003). The CDC's vision is to "end the causes and tragic effects of crime, violence, and victimization in our communities through a collaborative effort that provides intervention to at-risk populations and quality services from the time of arrest that will assist our clients in achieving successful reintegration into society" (California, 2004).
This is a bold, if somewhat pretentious vision for the CDC for its "clients." The goals of the CDC are divided into organizational goals of workforce excellence, technology development, risk management/organizational effectiveness, and legal compliance; and programmatic goals of crime prevention and safety, outreach, partnerships, and transparency, and health care delivery - very worthy goals.
However, according to the Little Hoover Commission report - Bac