Memo: Positive Programming Credits

Date: July 9, 2020

To: CDCR_CCHCS Extended Executive Staff

As part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) efforts to recognize the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on access to programs and credit earnings, CDCR will implement a one-time Positive Programming Credit (PPC) award for eligible inmates.

PPC will provide 12 weeks of credit to inmates eligible as of July 9, 2020. Those found guilty of a serious Rules Violation Report (RVR) between March 1, 2020, and July 5, 2020, are excluded from earning this credit. For those inmates with a pending serious RVR, PPC shall not be applied until the RVR is adjudicated and the inmate found not guilty. Those found not guilty shall have the PPC applied within seven days of the Chief Disciplinary Officer’s review. Inmates serving life without the possibility of parole, as well as condemned inmates, are excluded from this credit.

These credits will be coded under the existing Extraordinary Conduct Credit (Title 15 Section 3042.6), which allows the Director of the Division of Adult Institutions to award credit to an inmate who has “provided exceptional assistance in maintaining the safety and security of a prison.” By practicing positive behavior throughout this time of suspended visits, program modifications, staffing shortages, and service impacts, these inmates have played an important role in enabling staff to maintain institutional security and focus on providing care to those who are ill.

Headquarters Case Records Services staff will enter the credit into SOMS. Credits shall be applied by August 1, 2020. Institutions should follow normal release processes should these credits advance release dates making the inmate eligible for release per California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 3043(c).

RALPH M. DIAZ
Secretary