CSA - Major Duties and Responsibilities

An Overview of the Corrections Standards Authority

The Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) (formerly the Board of Corrections) works in partnership with city and county officials to develop and maintain standards for the construction of local jails and juvenile detention facilities and operation of state and local jails and juvenile detention facilities, and for the selection and training of state and local corrections personnel. The CSA also inspects local adult and juvenile detention facilities; administers grant programs that respond to facility construction needs, juvenile crime and delinquency; and conducts special studies relative to the public safety of California’s communities.

In carrying out these major responsibilities, the CSA and its staff work closely with county sheriffs, directors of corrections and chief probation officers, as well as other state and local officials and community-based service providers, to achieve continued improvement in the conditions of local detention facilities and the delivery of effective state and local corrections programs.

The Board of Corrections was established in 1944 as part of the reorganization of the state prison system. Commencing July 1, 2005, the CSA was established within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). As of that date, the Board of Corrections was abolished. Statutes relating to the authority, programs and mandates of the CSA are contained in the California Penal and Welfare and Institutions Codes. Operating regulations are found in Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations, and physical plant regulations are contained in Title 24.

The CSA is composed of 19 members, one of whom shall be the Secretary of the CDCR, or his or her designee, who shall be designated as the chairperson, and four of whom shall be subordinate officers of the secretary. At least one subordinate officer shall be a manager or administrator of a state correctional facility for adult offenders, and at least one subordinate officer shall be a manager or administrator of a state correctional facility for juvenile offenders. The remaining 14 members shall be appointed by the Governor after consultation with, and with the advice of, the secretary, and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The gubernatorial appointments shall include all of the following:

(1) A county sheriff in charge of a local detention facility, which has a CSA rated capacity of 200 or less inmates.

(2) A county sheriff in charge of a local detention facility, which has a CSA rated capacity of over 200 inmates.

(3) A county supervisor or county administrative officer.

(4) A chief probation officer from a county with a population over 200,000.

(5) A chief probation officer from a county with a population under 200,000.

(6) A manager or administrator of a county local detention facility.

(7) An administrator of a local community-based correctional program.

(8) Two public members, at least one of whom shall represent the interests of crime victims.

(9) Four rank and file representatives: one juvenile probation officer who is a first-line supervisor or lower rank, with a minimum of five years of experience as a juvenile probation officer; one deputy sheriff who is a sergeant or lower rank, with a minimum of five years of experience in an adult correctional facility; one state parole officer or parole agent; and one person with a minimum of five years experience working in a state adult correctional facility.

(10) A representative of a community-based youth service organization.

County Facilities Construction Division

The County Facilities Construction (CFC) Division works in collaboration with state and local government agencies in administering funding for county detention facility construction projects, for the purpose of enhancing public safety and conditions of confinement. Specific activities of CFC include:

Providing technical assistance to enhance facility planning, design and program administration that meets local needs, philosophies and priorities, as well as legislative and regulatory requirements;
Convening committees to assist in the formation of project assessment criteria and processes;
Providing workshops and informational forums to assist in planning processes;
Distributing funding for the construction of local detention facilities;
Assisting counties through the publication of practical handbooks, manuals and reports;
Monitoring projects from inception through facility occupancy to ensure compliance with fiscal, programmatic and regulatory requirements, as well as to assess for technical assistance needs; and,
Performing special studies or surveys as directed by the Legislature, CDCR, CSA or at the request of constituents.

Corrections Planning and Programs Division

The Corrections Planning and Programs (CPP) Division develops, administers and evaluates programs designed to improve the effectiveness of state and local correctional systems and enhance public safety. In carrying out its responsibilities, the CPP works closely with federal, state and local government agencies, as well as the private sector and nonprofit service providers, to foster collaborative approaches for addressing crime and delinquency. The CPP provides extensive technical assistance and program support to state and local agencies as well as grantees and other stakeholders. Programs administered by the CPP include the following:

Federal Title II Formula Grants Program, Title V Community Prevention Grants Programs, and Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) Program, all of which support state and local efforts to reduce juvenile crime. The Title II program includes Native American/Tribal Youth grants, a Probation Court-Based Alternatives Initiative (PCBA) as well as major federal and state initiatives to reduce disproportionate minority contact (DMC) within the juvenile justice system; the JABG Program includes a Best Practices Approach Initiative (BPAI), an Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) grant and a training grant for locals to receive Anger Management and Youth Violence Prevention (AMYVPT).
The 2011 Public Safety Realignment legislation provides funding for counties to provide a full range of custody and supervision for non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offender adults who previously would have been committed to the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation for housing within the state prison system. Individual county amounts are based on percentages provided in statute. While the majority of funding is allocated for custody and supervision, one-time funding is provided for planning, training and recruitment, as is on-going funding for parole/probation revocation processing.
Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA), a state-funded juvenile justice initiative that supports community-based programs focusing on graduated sanctions for at-risk youth and young offenders. In administering the JJCPA, the CPP assists counties in developing and updating comprehensive multi-agency juvenile justice plans that must be approved by the CSA before counties may access funds available through this initiative.
Juvenile Probation and Camp Funding (JPCF) program, which supports a broad spectrum of county probation services targeting at-risk youth, juvenile offenders and their families. The amount of state funds apportioned to each county is designated in statute. The JPCF program also provides funds for specified services in counties that operate juvenile camps and/or ranches. These funds are allocated to counties according to the number of occupied camp/ranch beds.
Proud Parenting Program, a state-funded effort that supports community-based projects aimed at breaking the inter-generational cycle of violence and delinquency among at-risk youth, including teen parents and offenders on parole.
Youth Center/Youth Shelter Program, which supports the construction, renovation and monitoring of facilities that serve at-risk youth.
Youthful Offender Block Grant (YOBG) program provides funding for counties to provide custody and care (i.e., appropriate rehabilitative and supervisory services) to youthful offenders who previously would have been committed to the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation's Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Individual county amounts are based on a formula provided in statute.

Facilities Standards and Operations Division

The Facilities Standards and Operations (FSO) Division works in collaboration with local corrections agencies to maintain and enhance the safety, security and efficiency of state and local jails and juvenile detention facilities. Specific activities of the FSO include:

Establishing and updating minimum standards regarding the design and operation of local adult and juvenile detention facilities (California Code of Regulations, Titles 15 and 24;
Establishing and updating policies and procedures for state adult and juvenile detention facilities;
Inspecting local detention facilities every two years and assisting agencies in their efforts to remain in compliance with minimum standards;
Perform assessments of local juvenile detention facilities to determine their suitability as places to detain minors;
Reviewing and analyzing all architectural plans for new facility construction and remodeling to determine cost-effectiveness and standard compliance;
Administering the Jail Profile and Juvenile Detention Profile Surveys, which involve collecting and reporting data providing a statewide profile of local jails and juvenile detention facilities;
Administering the Juveniles in Jail Removal/Compliance Monitoring Program, which involves monitoring, training and technical assistance activities related to federal compliance issues on the secure detention of status offenders and the separation of minors from adults;
Providing technical assistance and training to cities and counties regarding standard compliance and various outsourcing opportunities; and
Perform special studies as directed by the legislature, the CSA, CDCR or at the request of constituents.

Standards and Training for Corrections Division

The Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Division works in collaboration with state and local corrections and public/private training providers in developing and administering programs designed to ensure the competency of state and local corrections professionals. Specific activities of STC include:

Monitoring state and local corrections agencies for compliance with standards and assisting agencies in their efforts to meet selection and training standards;
Establishing and maintaining Guidelines for Medical, Vision and Hearing Screening;
Performing job analyses for selection and training standards and validation research for test development;
Conducting studies involving the portability of selection exams for correctional classifications;
Providing oversight and review of proctoring, security and delivery procedures for selection exams;
Providing technical assistance to Human Resource Departments regarding selection standards, exam procedures and current best practices;
Establishing and updating minimum selection and training standards (California Code of Regulations, Title 15);
Administering a statewide training course certification process that includes a coordinated training delivery system;
Developing and updating job related Core training curricula for entry-level correctional personnel;
Providing technical assistance and support to corrections agencies and training providers;
Providing technical assistance in the areas of Organizational Development, Strategic Planning and Training Needs Assessments;
Providing training to corrections agencies in the areas of instructor development, curriculum design, training management and other topical areas of need;
Coordinating and advising regional training manager associations statewide and assisting with the planning and delivery of the Annual Training Manager’s Seminar.

CSA - Major Duties and Responsibilities

Corrections Standards Authority

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