New California death row housing canceled

SACRAMENTO, April 28 (UPI) -- California Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday he was canceling plans to build a new death row housing unit at San Quentin prison.

Brown said in a written statement the project was being scrapped to save the cash-strapped state about $356 million.

"California will have to find another way to address the housing needs of condemned inmates," Brown said. "It would be unconscionable to earmark $356 million for a new and improved death row while making severe cuts to education and programs that serve the most vulnerable among us."

The housing unit had been on the drawing board since 2003; however, the contract was never formally awarded. The project was designed to hold 1,152 inmates. Brown's office said there were currently fewer than 700 condemned inmates in the state.

California has the largest death row population in the nation but has not executed anyone since 2006. The current lock-up was designed to hold fewer than 600 prisoners.

The cancellation of the San Quentin project was the latest move by Brown to cut spending. He issued an order Wednesday banning "non-essential" travel by state employees.