Federal Title II Formula Grants Program, Title V Community Prevention Grants Programs, and Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program, all of which support state and local efforts to reduce juvenile crime. The Title II program also includes a major initiative to reduce disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system.
Corrections Standards Authority
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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 training to state and local agencies as well as grantees. Programs administered by the CPP include the following:
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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.
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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.
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Youth Center/Youth Shelter Program, which supports the construction, renovation and monitoring of facilities that serve at-risk youth.
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:
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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.
Regulation and Policy Management Branch
The Regulations and Policy Management Branch (RPMB) deals with regulations of significant life, liberty, security, safety, health, rehabilitation, and employment issues in areas that are subject to extensive public interest and legal involvement. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) regulations help support safe and effective facility operations, and the treatment of adult inmates and parolees in accordance with basic constitutional standards.
- The RPMB (Adult Operations) is responsible to ensure that the rules proposed for implementation by the Department that have a general application to state adult inmate and parolee operations meet the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
- RPMB is responsible for furnishing notices to the public regarding new regulations or changes to existing regulations proposed by the Department. Any proposed Department policy with regulatory impact must be adopted through a public process.
- The regulations themselves must be clear, consistent, necessary, have authority in law, and not duplicate or conflict with existing regulations or State statute.
- Proposed regulations must be the least financially burdensome alternative for private individuals and business.
- RPMB ensures that the rules of the Department are announced, adopted and published in the California Code of Regulations, Title 15, while working closely with the respective department programs.
- RPMB staff conducts a public hearing for the Department where members of the public may present comments about the proposed regulations.
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.