Inmates: alternative custody.

Existing law provides a system of prisons under the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to house inmates committed to state prison for felonies. This bill would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to offer a program under which female inmates, pregnant inmates, or inmates who, immediately prior to incarceration, were primary caregivers of dependent children, as defined, who are committed to state prison may be allowed to participate in a voluntary alternative custody program in lieu of confinement in state prison. The bill would define an alternative custody program to include confinement to a residential home, a residential drug or treatment program, or a transitional care facility that offers appropriate services. The bill would authorize the department to enter into contracts with county agencies, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and others in order to promote alternative custody placements. The bill would require the department to determine the recidivism rate of each participant in an alternative custody program. The bill would, among other things, provide inmate eligibility criteria, authorize the secretary to prescribe rules and regulations for the program, including imposing certain inmate participation requirements, and authorize certain inmate compliance verification procedures. The bill would make the escape or attempted escape from this program a misdemeanor, thereby creating a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate changes made by AB 1369 that would become operative if both bills are enacted and this bill is enacted after AB 1369. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.