Erik Nelson

Date of Award

Winter 12-17-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

The United States has the highest number of people incarcerated in the world. This is a problem that has been growing over time and has gotten to the point where some states like California, have been mandated by the Supreme Court to reduce its prison population. There are many reasons for this significant public administration problem and numerous solutions that can and have been implemented in California and elsewhere. The purpose of this study is to determine if after the initial Supreme Court order and the subsequent re-forms were enacted, have conditions changed or improved in the state prisons. This study will examine the intent of the reforms, the expected outcomes, and examine current conditions at state prisons in regards to overcrowding. The results of this study could provide useful information to public administrators in general regarding program implementation and effectiveness as well as those administrators working in criminal justice organizations. This study also makes use of extensive source material from prior research conducted on this problem. Case studies and research on specific reforms provide valuable information and data utilized in this study and are compared with its findings. In addition to utilizing prior research and data from other sources this study employs similar research methods to gather data. This is accomplished through non-probability sampling/convenience sampling with key informant interviews and a cross sectional study of leaders and employees within state corrections organizations. Prison overcrowding is a worldwide problem and the state of California is in the process of attempting to address the issue. A current study of their attempts could provide a useful guide to others who intend to do the same.

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