Restricted Housing
In May 2026, CDCR has updated its Restricted Housing Unit regulations to address safety and security needs while maintaining key elements of the 2023 RHU framework. These updates are targeted, evidence-based adjustments in response to increases in violence and overdoses and are not a rollback of prior reforms.
Individuals in RHU continue to have access to programming, required out-of-cell time and rehabilitative opportunities. They may also earn credits that reduce their RHU term only, not their overall sentence.
The updated regulations include changes related to privilege group designation and tablet access, including the potential for short-term tablet restrictions based on behavior and security considerations. Tablets remain available for programming, education, legal access and other essential services remain active.
The updated regulations do not change current RHU housing practices, which remain based on case-by-case decisions and available housing configurations.
Below are answers to common questions about the updated regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) implemented targeted, evidence-based regulatory updates after reviewing safety trends, misconduct data and operational needs across institutions.
Comparative reviews showed increases in:
• Battery on staff
• Overdoses
• Attempted murder
• Deadly weapon incidents
• Murder
• Battery on incarcerated people
• Serious bodily injury incidents
These trends created safety concerns and operational challenges for staff and the incarcerated population.
The changes are intended to:
• Improve safety and reduce violence
• Strengthen accountability for serious and repeat misconduct
• Support staff in addressing behavior before it escalates
• Maintain access to rehabilitation, education and reentry programming
Safe institutions are necessary for rehabilitation to succeed.
CDCR began using the updated Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) framework in late 2023 as part of efforts to standardize housing practices and expand access to programming and out-of-cell time.
The May 2026 changes are additional targeted updates that are now in effect and are intended to address observed increases in violence, overdoses and serious misconduct.
No. The RHU framework established in 2023 remains in place.
The May 2026 changes are targeted at refinement to that system. They strengthen accountability for serious and repeat misconduct while maintaining access to programming, education and rehabilitative opportunities.
A Restricted Housing Unit is temporary housing used when someone cannot be safely housed in a less restrictive setting because they pose a serious safety, security or misconduct concern.
This housing may also be used for non-disciplinary reasons during an investigation into an individual’s safety concerns.
CDCR previously used older restrictive housing models such as Administrative Segregation Units (ASU) and Security Housing Units (SHU).
What has changed with the Restricted Housing Unit regulations?
Recent updates focus on serious and repeat misconduct and include:
• Longer RHU terms for selected serious violent offenses
• Repeated acts of battery may lead to RHU placement
• Drug distribution may lead to RHU placement
• Greater flexibility in how multiple RHU terms are applied
• Updated Administrative RHU authority
These updates restore accountability tools while maintaining the overall RHU framework established in 2023.
An Administrative RHU term is an indeterminate RHU term in restrictive housing reserved for incarcerated people who present an immediate and significant threat to the safety and security of the institution, staff and the incarcerated population.
Administrative RHU placement is intended for high-risk cases involving individuals with a history of serious rules violations, including Division A-1 and A-2 offenses such as murder, attempted murder and rape.
Yes. Review processes remain in place to ensure placements continue to be appropriate and necessary.
Privilege groups are behavior-based classifications that may affect access to incentives such as canteen, packages, property and recreation. They are separated from RHU housing.
Only Privilege Group C and D were updated.
Privilege Group C no longer reverts to the incarcerated person’s previous privilege group upon transfer.
Additionally, Privilege Group C may be assigned more quickly in cases involving battery or repeated misconduct.
For individuals placed in Group D, updates align certain privileges with Group C while maintaining restrictions:
• Canteen limited to hygiene and personal care items
• Packages restricted
• Access to phone calling, messaging and paid services restricted
These adjustments are behavior-based and tied to accountability.
Tablet deactivation is a short-term, behavior-based tool used to address lower-level misconduct and prevent escalation to more serious discipline.
Deactivation is generally limited to up to 24 hours and restricts access to phone calls, messaging and other non-essential paid services.
It is intended to create an immediate, proportionate response to misconduct while avoiding the need for formal disciplinary action when appropriate.
Examples may include:
• Refusing to stand for count
• Refusing to remove obstructions
• Failing to report as directed
• Repeated minor misconduct
• Misuse of messaging functions
• Other similar misconduct
No. Core access to education, rehabilitation, legal resources, medical services and other essential functions remain available.
Tablet restrictions apply only to non-essential services.
Individuals also continue to have access to phones, mail, visits and programming.
Incarcerated individuals may access incarcerated person telephones within their housing units.
• Office of the Inspector General: *7732#
• CDCR Office of Internal Affairs: 279-210-4200
These numbers are posted next to incarcerated person telephones for reference.
These changes focus on individuals involved in serious, repeated or disruptive misconduct.
They are not intended to impact individuals who are following rules and participating in programming.
The updates are designed to:
• Address behavior early
• Prevent escalation into more serious incidents
• Improve safety for staff and the incarcerated population
• Maintain a stable environment where rehabilitation can take place
The goal is to maintain safe, orderly institutions while supporting rehabilitation and successful reentry.
These updates are designed to balance accountability, access to programming and overall safety by addressing misconduct early, preventing escalation and preserving rehabilitative opportunities.