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Restricted Housing

Restricted housing refers to various forms of confinement for incarcerated individuals in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). It is used to manage the behavior of incarcerated individuals who may pose a risk to others or to themselves, or whose behavior disrupts the safe and orderly functioning of the facility.

The criteria for housing an incarcerated person in restricted housing are based on that person’s behavior, and the conditions of restricted housing are established in regulation (California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 3343).

There are several types of restricted housing in the CDCR, including the Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU), Security Housing Unit (SHU), Short-Term Restricted Housing Unit (STRH), Long-Term Restricted Housing Unit (LTRH), and Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU).

The conditions of restricted housing are required to approximate those in general population units, with the same clothing, meals, and access to publications and books. Incarcerated individuals in restricted housing are also allowed to send and receive personal mail, have non-contact visits, and make outgoing telephone calls. Additionally, they receive regular mental health care, with daily rounds by licensed psychiatric technicians and weekly clinical contacts with primary mental health clinicians if they are included in the Mental Health Services Delivery System.

Background

  • The criteria for placing someone in restricted housing is based on their conduct and whether their presence in the general population poses an immediate risk to the safety of others or requires an investigation.
  • Conditions of restricted housing are established in regulation (California Code of Regulations Title 15 Section 3343), and incarcerated people in restricted housing receive living conditions that approximate those in general population units, including the same clothing, meals, and access to publications and books.
  • Each type of restricted housing has specific living conditions, including the amount of out-of-cell and outdoor yard time, the level of clinical contacts, and the availability of mental health group hours.
  • At the Correctional Clinical Case Management System (CCCMS) level, the CDCR made the STRH and LTRH for incarcerated people with mental health needs in order to connect them with the services and help they need.
  • The PSU is designed to provide secure housing and care for incarcerated people with psychiatric disorders who do not require inpatient hospital care but whose conduct threatens their own or others’ safety.
  • Everyone who lives in restricted housing is visited every day by a licensed psychiatric technician and sees their primary mental health clinician once a week.
  • Incarcerated individuals in restricted housing are permitted to send and receive personal mail, have non-contact visits, and make outgoing telephone calls.

The Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU)

  • The Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU) is a type of housing unit within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). It is designed to hold inmates who have been deemed a security risk and who cannot be safely housed in the general population. Inmates in the ASU are typically held in their cells for 22 to 23 hours a day and are allowed limited out-of-cell time for exercise and showers.
  • ASU is used as a form of administrative segregation, which is a term used to describe the separation of inmates from the general population for non-disciplinary reasons. This can include inmates who are awaiting transfer to another facility or who are being held for their own or others’ protection. Inmates can also be placed in ASU as a disciplinary measure, but this is less common.
  • ASU is considered a highly restrictive form of housing, and inmates held in ASU have limited access to programming and services compared to those in the general population.

Security Housing Unit (SHU)

  • The Security Housing Unit (SHU) is a maximum-security facility in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that houses inmates who are considered to pose a threat to the safety and security of the prison or the general public. Inmates in the SHU are typically held in their cells for 22 to 23 hours per day and have limited contact with other inmates or staff.
  • The SHU is a form of long-term solitary confinement and has been the subject of controversy and criticism due to concerns about the effects of prolonged isolation on mental and physical health. In response to these concerns
  • CDCR has made changes to its policies and practices related to the use of the SHU, including the implementation of step-down programs to gradually reintegrate inmates into the general population.
  • The Step-Down Program (SDP) is a CDCR program designed to transition inmates from long-term confinement in the Security Housing Units (SHU) to a general population setting. The SDP is a four-step process that includes counseling and behavioral interventions to help inmates develop the skills they need to successfully reintegrate into the general population.
  • The four steps of the SDP are as follows:

Step 1 – Orientation: Inmates are introduced to the program and given an opportunity to participate in group therapy sessions and other programming designed to promote prosocial behavior.

Step 2 – Personal Growth: Inmates continue to participate in group therapy and programming focused on developing interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

Step 3 – Transition: Inmates are moved to a general population setting, where they continue to participate in programming and receive additional support to help them adjust to the new environment.

Step 4 – Integration: Inmates are fully integrated into the general population and continue to receive support and monitoring to ensure they remain on track.

  • The goal of the SDP is to help inmates develop the skills they need to successfully reintegrate into society, reduce the likelihood of future criminal behavior, and improve institutional safety by promoting positive behavior among inmates.

Short-Term Restricted Housing (STRH)

  • Short-Term Restricted Housing (STRH) is a type of housing unit within the CDCR that is used to temporarily house inmates who have violated prison rules or who are deemed to be a security risk.
  • STRH is a short-term disciplinary housing unit that is intended to be used for periods of 30 days or less. Inmates are placed in STRH for a variety of reasons, including fighting, possession of contraband, or other violations of prison rules. During their stay in STRH, inmates are typically confined to their cells for 22-23 hours per day and have limited access to programs and services.
  • The goal of STRH is to provide a secure and safe environment for both staff and inmates while also promoting behavior change and rehabilitation. Inmates in STRH are given the opportunity to participate in programming and services that are designed to address the underlying issues that led to their placement in STRH.
  • Once their time in STRH is complete, inmates are typically transferred back to their previous housing unit within the prison.

Long-Term Restricted Housing Unit (LTRH)

  • The Long-Term Restricted Housing Unit (LTRH) is a type of housing unit within CDCR that is designed for inmates who have been placed in administrative segregation for extended periods of time
  • LTRH inmates are typically placed in these units for disciplinary reasons or for their own safety, and may remain there for months or even years. The conditions in LTRH are highly restrictive, with inmates typically confined to their cells for up to 23 hours per day.
  • They are allowed limited access to outdoor exercise yards, and have opportunities for social interaction with other inmates. Inmates in LTRH also have access to educational or vocational programming.
  • In recent years, there have been efforts to reduce the use of LTRH and to provide alternative forms of housing and programming for inmates who would otherwise be placed in these units.

The Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU)

  • The Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU) is a specialized unit within CDCR that provides mental health services to incarcerated individuals who have been diagnosed with severe mental illness.
  • The PSU provides inpatient psychiatric treatment and specialized mental health care to individuals who require more intensive care than what is available in general population or other mental health programs within the CDCR.
  • The PSU is staffed by mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric technicians, who work closely with custody staff to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for patients.
  • The unit provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual and group therapy, and other mental health services.
  • The goal of the PSU is to stabilize individuals with severe mental illness and prepare them for transition to less restrictive levels of care within the CDCR or, if appropriate, to the community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Does CDCR have “solitary confinement?”

There is no such thing as “solitary confinement” in California. There are various forms of restricted housing and the criteria for housing an incarcerated person in segregated housing is based on that person’s behavior, and some due to safety and security concerns. There are mandatory out-of-cell times per week, access to mental health clinicians, access to non-contact visits, mail, and library resources to name a few.

  • What is “restricted housing?”

When an incarcerated person’s behavior or presence in the general population presents an immediate threat to the safety of any person within the institution or jeopardizes an investigation, the person can be placed in restricted housing.

  • What are CDCR’s current policies on Incarcerated Person Housing Assignments?

CDCR policies on Incarcerated Person Housing Assignments can be found in California Code of Regulations Title 15 Section 3269 – Inmate Housing Assignments”

Policies can also be found in the CDCR Department Operations Manual Article 46, Section 54046.1 “Inmate Housing Assignments

  • Is CDCR currently changing any regulations on restricted housing?

CDCR is currently drafting regulations that address the issues the Governor raised in his veto message. More information on these new regulations will be available at a later date, but they will go through the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process, including being filed with the Office of Administrative Law, have a public comment period, and a public meeting.

  • Can someone appeal placement in restricted housing?

Yes. An incarcerated person may appeal their restricted housing placement via the grievance process.

  • What kind of programming is offered to those in restricted housing?

The programs offered in restricted housing vary by location, program type and a unit’s physical design. Examples include self-help programs, religious services inclusive of chaplain visits within the unit, activities provided by recreational therapist, institutional television rehabilitative programs, recreational yard and mental health clinician-led groups.

  • How long do incarcerated people spend in restricted housing?

It depends on individual case factors. However, there are required reviews and requirements of placement that are followed, including frequent review by Institution Classification Committees, and annual reviews by the department review board. These reviews are in place to ensure ongoing placement of an incarcerated person in restricted housing meets all required criteria.

  • Do people in restricted housing have cellmates?

Many incarcerated persons in restricted housing have cellmates if it is determined they can be safely housed together. This is done by an evaluation of the incarcerated person’s central file, the reason for their placement into restricted housing, and an interview with the affected incarcerated person.

Criteria that is considered when making a determination on restricted housing placement and if a person should be single-celled or housed with a cellmate are included in the CDCR Department Operations Manual Section 54046.5.1 Initial Screening – Administrative Segregation Unit/Security Housing Unit.

  • How much property can people in restricted housing have?

A breakdown of the types and quantities of property a person may have in any housing designation, including restricted housing units, is available on the Inmate Property Matrices here: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/regulations/wp-content/uploads/sites/171/2020/07/APPS-07.06.20.pdf

  • Can people in restricted housing have work assignments?

Those assigned to restricted housing are not able to have work assignments due to several case factors, including open investigations into a violent incident at the institution or safety and security concerns that would make movement a concern.

The programs offered in restricted housing vary by location, program type and unit’s physical design. Examples include self-help programs, religious services inclusive of chaplain rounds within the unit, activities provided by recreational therapist, institutional television rehabilitative programs, recreational yard and clinician lead groups.

  • Can people in restricted housing have in-person or video visits? What about overnight visits?

Those in restricted housing are allowed non-contact visits and no overnight visits. In some circumstances, the warden may make an exception to allow contact visits for someone housed in Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU).