Prison Guards Union Donation To Governor May Influence Policy

The union representing most of California´s prison guards has spent about 800-thousand dollars on Governor Davis´ re-election campaign. The contributions came before and after he approved a contract likely to bring union members a 37 percent raise over five years. Davis also favored the union when he announced that he supported closing the state´s five non-union private prisons. Government watchdogs say the donations may have influenced policy. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association has given Davis´ campaign 555-thousand dollars since July first.