Here are some sobering statistics. One doesn't even need to write a narrative.
In California:
$14.7 billion has been designated for construction in the state's prison system
State makes massive budget cuts due to its astronomical deficit and its $57.3 billion debt, plus another $78.2 billion that has been authorized waiting to be borrowed.
Los Angeles Unified School District follows with $460 million budget cut -- on a budget that was already razor thin. Money spent on arts (music, etc.) per year for each school kid: 3 cents (so I've been told by people in the know).
Cost to incarcerate a juvenile offender in California: $100,000-$200,000.