Public and Employee Communications

Filming Within CDCR Facilities

State law provides that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) may, on a case-by-case basis, accommodate requests from filmmakers and documentary producers to film inside its correctional facilities. The law also states that such access is to be granted only within available resources consistent with the safe and secure operations of CDCR facilities. The continuing fiscal crisis facing the State necessitates the need to perform the core functions of the CDCR and focus only on our mission critical functions. As a result, the Office of Public and Employee Communications (OPEC) is not processing any proposal to film movies, commercials, television shows or pilots in a CDCR adult institution, juvenile facility, community based facility or parole unit. This includes visits to scout shooting locations. Documentary and educational filming requests will be considered on a case by case basis to ascertain if there is any impact on staffing, operations, resources, safety and security.

Representatives of print or electronic media will still be provided access to CDCR facilities in keeping with California law, departmental policies and communications objectives.

Thank you for your support of OPEC, whose mission is to inform the public about the operations and programs of the CDCR and to facilitate internal departmental communications. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (916) 445-4950.