Inmate Welfare Fund.

Existing law establishes the Inmate Welfare Fund of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the State Treasury. Existing law requires that the money in the fund constitute a trust to be used for the benefit, education, and welfare of inmates of prisons and institutions under the jurisdiction of the department, as specified. Existing law requires the Department of Finance to conduct a biennial audit of the fund and, at the end of each intervening fiscal year, to prepare a statement of operations. This bill would authorize the use of moneys in the Inmate Welfare Fund for education programs, hobby and recreational programs, as specified, inmate family visiting services, leisure-time activities, and assistance with obtaining photo identification from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and would specify the intent of the Legislature that the moneys not be used for programs that the department is required to provide. The bill would require the warden of each institution and specified other stakeholders to meet at least biannually to determine how the money is used in that institution. Under existing law, funds from the Inmate Welfare Fund are prohibited from being used for specified expenses, including overtime for staff, television repair, and athletic or recreation supplies. Under existing law, moneys in the fund, as they relate to state prison camps, are continuously appropriated. This bill would authorize the use of fund moneys for educational programs, inmate family visiting services, leisure-time activities, and assistance with obtaining photo identification from the Department of Motor Vehicles, thereby making an appropriation.