There has been a massive overcrowding in California’s prison system that has caused a major stir around America. The New York Times reported in February that federal courts ordered the population cut by as much as 55,000 inmates. One of the ways California may do so is by spending funding on rehabilitating the inmates as quickly and effectively as possible. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation submitted a construction plan on Friday in response to this court order that will expand medical and mental health treatment for inmates in order to hopefully stave off the overcrowding that’s choking the current system.

The proposed plan includes a 1,734-bed facility that will cost about $1 billion. The construction would be paid from a $7.8 billion fund of money the Legislature set aside to reduce prison overcrowding two years ago. On top of this facility, three former juvenile inmate facilities would be renovated and turned into treatment centers for adult inmates.

These measures are very necessary, especially in the wake of the recent prison riot that caused over 250 inmates to be hurt and over 50 to be hospitalized. Gang violence is already a problem in these facilities. To create an environment of little or no personal space is basically putting fuel on top of a very volatile fire.

These facilities are the first to be built after the court order, but they will not be the last. With that said, construction workers, electricians, plumbers will be needed in order to make these programs go from the drawing board to reality. With the recent hit that these sectors have taken, these developments as well as Obama’s strong focus on infrastructure stimulus means that there will be a lot of work for those who are qualified for it? Are you? Check out the many certification programs available to you today.