VIDEO: A compilation of our investigations into California's rehabilitation & recidivism data

Are prison reform laws in California leading to more rehabilitation and fewer felons reoffending after release? The state still can't - or won't - provide the data to answer those basic questions. Over the past year, we've conducted dozens of interviews with former inmates, crime victims, prosecutors, public defenders, lawmakers, researchers, and advocates for both prisoners and crime victims. Many, if not all of them, would also like the data and answers we've been working to get from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). This continuing coverage was prompted by a 2022 mass shooting in the shadow of California's state capitol. Nearly two years later, we're still working to get answers and access to - what should be - public information and data about early prison release policies and recidivism. See more of our continuing coverage here: https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/tag/rehabilitation-recidivism-data

• Dec 31, 2023
• 16:15

VIDEO: Former lab director speaks out about California's failed COVID testing lab

Adam Rosendorff, who's also the former lab director of Elizabeth Holmes' Theranos lab, is now confirming allegations from whistleblowers at Governor Newsom's failed COVID testing lab. His story raises questions about whether California health officials and the Governor's office allowed whistleblower retaliation.

• Dec 1, 2023
• 04:42

VIDEO: Failed Policies: One Suspect. Three Agencies. Countless Questions.

PART 1: A hostage killed. Kids traumatized. Yet, CHP remains silent. An officer and hostage were shot. Another hostage was killed. Seven months later, CHP still wouldn't answer basic questions about their decisions that day or the related agency policies that affect all Californians. In our initial story, we take a look back at the controversial decision by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park surrounded by day camps. PART 2 : What is law enforcement hiding? For months, the CHP claimed it didn't have any dashcam video from the shooting. (Spoiler alert, it did.) Following our initial report, and appeals in which we explained that our sources had seen the video, the CHP finally released an excerpt of its dashcam video just hours before this story was set to air. But other agencies continued withholding bodycam video and public information. In our follow-up story, we examine how the law enforcement response to the Roseville CHP shootout could set a concerning precedent for future police shootings statewide. PART 3: The escape and lessons learned. As accountability journalists, we believe it's important to give credit where credit is due. Mistakes happen. Sometimes horrific ones. But it's often the response to those mistakes that matter most. In a third report, we examine the suspected killer's escape from custody at a local hospital and highlight how transparency from the local Sheriff was the key to regaining the public's trust. This reporting is ongoing in 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/tag/failed-policies-one-suspect-three-agencies-countless-questions/

• Nov 21, 2023

The Placer Co. Inmate Escape: What CHP can learn from local law enforcement about accountability and transparency

He had a history of violence, running from police and escaping custody in a hospital, yet following the deadly Roseville park shootout, suspect Eric Abril escaped from a hospital again. In part three of our series, we investigate Abril's second escape and highlight what CHP can learn from local law enforcement about transparency and regaining the public's trust.

• Nov 20, 2023

FAILED POLICIES - PART 3: The escape, and lessons learned

He had a history of violence, running from police and escaping custody in a hospital, yet following the deadly Roseville park shootout, suspect Eric Abril escaped from a hospital again. In part three of our series, Julie Watts investigates Abril's second escape and highlights what CHP can learn from local law enforcement about transparency and regaining the public's trust.

• Nov 20, 2023
• 06:19

FAILED POLICIES - PART 2 : What is law enforcement hiding?

The CHP finally released an excerpt of dashcam video from the Roseville park shootout. The agency initially claimed the dashcam video didn't exist. But other agencies continue withholding public video and information. In part two of our series, Julie Watts investigates how the law enforcement response to the Roseville CHP shootout could set a concerning precedent for future police shootings.

• Nov 14, 2023
• 07:14

What's law enforcement hiding? Why CHP's Roseville park shootout could set a concerning precedent for police shootings

CHP finally released the dashcam video they initially claimed didn't exist from the Roseville park shootout, but other agencies continue withholding public information. We investigate the public's right to see records related to police shootings and the concerning law enforcement claims.

• Nov 14, 2023

Exclusive: CBS Sacramento obtains never-before-seen CHP video from deadly Roseville park shootout

In response to CBS13's ongoing investigation into April's deadly Mahany Park shooting in Roseville, the California Highway Patrol on Monday released never-before-seen dash camera footage from the initial moments of the shootout.

• Nov 13, 2023

FAILED POLICIES - PART 1: A hostage killed. Kids traumatized. Yet, CHP remains silent.

An officer and hostage were shot. Another hostage -- killed. It's been seven months and CHP still won't answer basic questions about policies that impact all Californians. In part one of our series, Julie Watts investigates the controversial decision by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park surrounded by kids.

• Nov 6, 2023
• 06:04

A hostage killed. Kids traumatized. Yet, CHP remains silent on its decision to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park.

An officer and hostage were shot. Another hostage -- killed. It's been seven months and CHP still won't answer basic questions about policies that impact all Californians. In part one of our series, Julie Watts investigates the controversial decision to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park surrounded by kids.

• Nov 6, 2023

Pillowcase Rapist: Why was a convicted sex offender free when he was arrested for attempted kidnapping?

A serial rapist and child sex offender was released early, failed to register as a sex offender, and repeatedly violated parole. Why was he free when he was arrested for attempted kidnapping?

• Oct 23, 2023

How more cameras are helping Sacramento PD catch more car thieves.

If your car is stolen, the odds are your car will be found but the person who stole it will almost never be arrested. But Sacramento PD has a higher arrest rate than most thanks to new technology and a dedicated team.

• Oct 18, 2023

VIDEO: DA files landmark homeless lawsuit against City of Sacramento that could impact homeless policies statewide

The Sacramento District Attorney is suing California's capital city over failure to clean up homeless encampments. He announced the suit Tuesday during a news conference in Sacramento. Ho said the city is seeing a "collapse into chaos" and an "erosion of everyday life."

• Sep 19, 2023
• 06:35

Landmark homeless lawsuit, The People vs. City of Sacramento, could impact policies statewide

The Sacramento County District Attorney's office is suing the City of Sacramento alleging the city failed to enforce the law and allowed the homeless crisis to become a public nuisance.

• Sep 19, 2023

FULL INTERVIEW: Landmark Homeless Lawsuit: People vs. City of Sacramento

The Sacramento District Attorney's office is suing the City of Sacramento alleging the city failed to enforce the law and allowed the homeless crisis to become a public nuisance.

• Sep 19, 2023

Bill to test school water for lead faced fierce attempts to water it down.

You may think everyone wants to keep lead out of school drinking water, but a bill to test school water for lead faced fierce attempts to water it down. AB 249 ultimately passed with bipartisan support -- but will the Governor sign it?

• Sep 17, 2023
• 04:29

A convicted fraudster was put in charge of California parolees, then he fraudulently used their identities in a $1 million COVID benefit scheme

Your tax dollars paid for a convicted fraudster to run a state-funded halfway house -- where he used stolen parolee identities to commit $1million worth of COVID-relief fraud.

• Sep 8, 2023

Defense attorney for Placer County's first fentanyl murder charge ineligible to practice law

The defense attorney for the first fentanyl murder charge in Placer County is not eligible to practice law.

• Aug 28, 2023

"It could be anyone's kid": Parents call for accountability after a Roseville student is pinned down and handcuffed at school

Roseville PD is changing its story. The Roseville Joint School District is not saying anything at all. But parents want answers after an officer tackled and handcuffed a child on campus – allegedly calling it a misunderstanding.

• Aug 25, 2023
• 03:44

Roseville student pinned downed and handcuffed on campus - mom says school resource officer called it is "a misunderstanding" and blamed the school

"I thought he was safe at school. Instead, he was detained and handcuffed and humiliated in front of everybody."

• Aug 15, 2023

D.A. Issues 30-Day Notice -- Homeless lawsuit against City of Sacramento likely.

The Sacramento County district attorney is set to sue the City of Sacramento over the downtown homeless crisis.

• Aug 8, 2023

Will more "Sexually Violent Predators" get "transient release" due to lack of housing?

A Placer County judge is the latest to order "transient release" for a "Sexually Violent Predator" due to lack of housing. CBS News Sacramento has identified a spike in the number of sexually violent predators cleared for release into California communities. Now lawmakers are taking action.

• Jul 28, 2023

Sacramento DA "gathering evidence" in possible homeless lawsuit against city

The Sacramento County district attorney is taking the first steps toward a possible lawsuit against the City of Sacramento over the downtown homeless crisis. He is now asking anyone who lives, works or visits downtown to fill out a "Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Questionnaire."

• Jul 17, 2023

California District Attorneys join quest for answers from Corrections Department

First, the assembly public safety chair agreed to include our questions in an audit request. Now, local district attorneys, viewers, and researchers are joining our efforts to get answers from the corrections department.

• Jul 14, 2023

VIDEO: You're paying rent and rehab for parolees — but California isn't tracking if your money is helping (Extended Cut)

California is spending hundreds of millions on housing and re-entry programs for former inmates – but isn't tracking if those programs are doing anything to change criminal behavior.

• Jul 13, 2023
• 07:27

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