California Bill to Consolidate Prison Space Passes Assembly

As the state seeks to lower prison capacity and fewer people are locked up, thousands of beds go empty. But crime is rising, opponents say.

A California State Prison inmate works on the garden in the prison yard, in Vacaville, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2015. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Legislation that would reduce prison capacity across California was approved by the Assembly on May 21, amid opposition from Republican representatives.

Assembly Bill 2178, authored by Assemblyman Phil Ting, would require state prisons to close portions of their facilities to lower the number of available beds across the state.