California's Troubled Prisons: Former Chief Reflects (KQED)

Last month, Matthew Cate stepped down as the head of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. We'll talk to him about what he learned while running -- and attempting to reform -- the state's overcrowded and beleaguered prison system.

Former CDCR Chief Matthew Cate’s recommendations to his successor: "Priority number one is we do have to get out of these court cases. But once that’s done, I think the focus needs to be on rehabilitation. We need to understand that it’s an issue of public safety. We need to focus our resources on things that will reduce future criminality, not just punish the people who are already in prison. We owe it to our kids and our future.” 

Host: Dave Iverson

Guests: Matthew Cate, executive director of the California State Association of Counties and former secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Click here to hear "California's Troubled Prisons: Former Chief Reflects" on KQED Radio. ​