Female Reform and Re-entry

As part of the overall renewed emphasis on rehabilitation, Governor Schwarzenegger will ask the Legislature during the 2006 special session to establish an innovative program to improve post-release outcomes for female offenders, their children and their communities. This program will provide treatment, vocational and educational services that target substance abuse, and employability, and will strengthen their family ties as they prepare to re-enter their communities.

This proposal would authorize CDCR to contract for up to 4,500 beds in community-based facilities. In partnership with community providers, this will enable non-serious and non-violent female offenders to participate in rehabilitation programs in the communities where they will return when released on parole. This community placement will provide increased opportunities to reconnect with their children as they transition into parole status.

The concept is the culmination of an 18-month effort by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to establish a comprehensive program for female offenders with non-violent convictions. Other initiatives will provide enhanced rehabilitation and training in the institutional settings. 

As proposed, the Female Rehabilitative Community Correctional Centers would:

1. House groups of 75, 100 or 200 female offenders in secure, contractor-operated facilities which will provide individualized services;
2. Offer educational and vocational programming, substance abuse programs and sober living skills, life skills, individual, group, and family counseling, mother/child reunification, recreational and religious programs and links to community organizations.

It is anticipated that the first facilities will open in April 2008, with potentially as many as 4,500 beds established by mid-2009.

Currently, a range of community organizations in various parts of the state have expressed an interest in participating or supporting this program. Contractors will be chosen following CDCR review of submitted Requests For Proposal (RFPs).

Female Prison Reform Fact Sheet