Prisoners: alternative incarceration.

Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into contracts with various entities for the housing and other care of inmates who are subject to the department's jurisdiction, but not incarcerated in a state prison. Existing law authorizes the department to construct, establish, and operate reentry program facilities with programs to assist inmates and parole violators to reintegrate into society. This bill would state findings and declarations of the Legislature relative to alternative incarceration for nonviolent inmates. The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into contracts with Alternative Incarceration Facilities, as defined, for housing certain nonviolent inmates who meet certain criteria. The bill would authorize the secretary to adopt regulations to implement those purposes, set forth criteria for inmates to meet in order to be transferred to Alternative Incarceration Facilities, and establish a compensation scheme for owners of those facilities. The bill would require a retired correctional officer with certain experience to always be present at each facility for purposes of providing certain technical assistance.