Part A presents an executive summary of the report, while Part B offers the text of the report and Part C lists the members and staff of the Independent Review Panel. Historically, California's correctional system was considered a National leader. Unfortunately, a host of complex problems including political interference, union control, and management problems spiraled California's $6 billion correctional system out of control. The recidivism rate exceeds that of any other State, reports of abuse of inmates by correctional officers abound, and inmates have not been provided with mandated health care and other services. In response, Governor Schwarzenegger established the Corrections Independent Review Panel to conduct an independent review of California's correctional system and offer recommendations for reform. This resulting report contains 239 specific recommendations that target every aspect of the correctional organization and operations. Over a 4 month period, the Panel reviewed nearly 400 published reports and related materials pertaining to corrections. Interviews were conducted with over 470 current and former members of the Governor's Office, State legislature, the Department of Corrections, the California Youth Authority, Office of the Inspector General, the Little Hoover Commission, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, experts in the field, and concerned citizens. While the Panel recognizes that not all recommendations can be immediately implemented, five major issues were identified that should be addressed as soon as possible: (1) reorganize the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency; (2) change the correctional culture, eliminate the code of silence, and reinforce ethical behavior; (3) ensure the best candidates are recruited and all employees are properly trained; (4) establish fair and equitable discipline and use-of-force policies; and (5) change the management of inmates and wards to better prepare them for community reentry. Other Panel recommendations fall into the following categories and are enumerated in-depth in the report: leadership; organizational structure; selection and development of personnel; role of labor unions; values and ethics; organization; ethics and culture; employee investigations and discipline; use of force; personnel and training; risk management and health care; inmate and parolee population management; ward and parolee population management; prison closures; labor contract; and information technology. Guidelines offer assistance for implementing the recommendations. Bibliography