Chapter 1 – General Administration

The Director of DAl reports to the Undersecretary of Operations. All responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the adult institutional facilities and camps rest with this division, specifically with the Director, DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division). A Deputy Director and Associate Directors (AD) assist the Director of the DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) in carrying out this responsibility. The ADs are tasked with managing adult institutions with similar missions.

The AD, Reception Center Institutions, has supervisory responsibility for the Wardens of the following facilities:

• CIMCalifornia Institution for Men.

• DVIDeuel Vocational Institution.

• NKSPNorth Kern State Prison.

• RJDRichard J. Donovan Correctional Facility at Rock Mountain.

• SQCalifornia State Prison, San Quentin.

• WSPWasco State Prison.

The overall leadership and guidance to the camps program is provided by the Wardens of the CCCCalifornia Correctional Center, SCCSierra Conservation Center, and other Wardens whose areas of responsibility include conservation camps. The statewide program is administered through camp liaisons. The liaisons provide support services necessary for the program, develop and monitor contracts with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department for the operation of 38 camps, and serve as the principal contact on camp program matters to other state, federal, or local government agencies, members of the legislature, special interest groups, and the general public.

Responsibilities include the regular statewide monitoring and evaluation of camp operations through the management survey process. Every other year the liaison reviews each camp to ensure it is operating in compliance with all appropriate laws, policies, procedures, and contract obligations. Camp liaisons are also responsible for implementing the statewide Camps Information Program to make the public more aware of the tax dollars saved by camp inmates through their project work, wildland fire fighting, and other emergency activities.

The AD has supervisory responsibility for the Wardens of the following facilities:

• CCICalifornia Correctional Institution.

• CORCalifornia State Prison, Corcoran.

• HDSPHigh Desert State Prison.

• KVSPKern Valley State Prison.

• PBSPPelican Bay State Prison.

• SACCalifornia State Prison, Sacramento.

• SVSPSalinas Valley State Prison.

The AD has supervisory responsibility for the Wardens of the following facilities:

• CALCalipatria State Prison.

• CENCentinela State Prison.

• CMCCalifornia Men's Colony.

• CMFCalifornia Medical Facility.

• CSATF, CORCalifornia State Prison, Corcoran.

• LACCalifornia State Prison, Los Angeles County.

• MCSPMule Creek State Prison.

• PVSPPleasant Valley State Prison.

The AD has supervisory responsibility for the Wardens in the following facilities:

• ASPAvenal State Prison.

• CCCCalifornia Correctional Center.

• CRCCalifornia Rehabilitation Center.

• CTFCorrectional Training Facility.

• CVSPChuckawalla Valley State Prison.

• FSPFolsom State Prison.

• ISPIronwood State Prison.

• SCSServices Contracts Section.

• SOLCalifornia State Prison, Solano or Statute of Limitations .

The AD has supervisory responsibility for the Wardens of the following facilities:

• CCWFCentral California Women's Facility.

• CIWCalifornia Institution for Women.

• VSPW.

Operations and Programs are responsible for policy and program formulation within the DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) and ensures consistency and uniformity in their development and application. In this capacity, the Undersecretary Operations and the Director DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) have managerial responsibility for all headquarters-based administrative staff as follows:

Institution Operations, under the guidance of the Undersecretary, Operations and Director, DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) is responsible for the following operational units:

The Classification Services Unit (CSUClassification Services Unit):

• Develops, administers, and maintains California Department of Corrections (CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) and Rehabilitation classification policies and procedures to ensure uniform diagnostic evaluations of the State’s incarcerated persons.

• Enforces appropriate housing of incarcerated persons at the lowest level of custody consistent with the security of the institution and safety of staff, incarcerated persons, and the community.

• Endorses incarcerated person’s transfer recommendations based on verification of specific safety and security considerations, program eligibility and appropriateness, and CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation bed availability. Case factor reviews include an evaluation of the incarcerated person’s criminal history, street or prison gang affiliations, propensity for violence, escape, programming needs, work skills, medical and psychiatric needs, and reentry eligibility.

• Audits institutional classification practices and safeguards institutional compliance with CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation classification policy.

• Resolves conflicts and enforces standardized interpretation of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation classification policies raised by institutions to either the chief of CSUClassification Services Unit or the Departmental Review Board (DRBDepartmental Review Board), for a binding administrative decision.

• Presents ongoing training to institutional staff regarding due process rights, the incarcerated person’s classification system, use of confidential information, incarcerated persons housing criteria, and documentation requirements.

The CSUClassification Services Unit includes the following sections and functions:

• Population Management Section

  • Analyzes and evaluates current and projected incarcerated persons population trends.

  • Coordinates incarcerated persons movement and cost effective bed use.

  • Establishes compliance criteria for reception center processing requirements and time frames.

  • Monitors and coordinates incarcerated persons placement and full utilization of beds in minimum support facilities, camps, restitution centers, and community correctional reentry centers.

  • Implements and maintains the County Delivery System, a computer-based system that identifies county delivery options based on expected processing times, projected intake, and geographical location.

  • Serves as Intake Control Unit for the County Delivery System.

• Health Care Section in coordination with the California Correctional Health Care Services:

  • Evaluates, endorses, and expedites transfers for medical treatment including special housing for pregnant, physically disabled (including those incarcerated persons confined to wheelchairs), and contagious or infectious incarcerated persons.

  • Endorses and monitors incarcerated persons with ongoing psychiatric concerns including incarcerated persons recommended for Correctional Clinical Case Management Services, Enhanced Outpatient Program, Mental Health Crisis Bed, and Department of Mental Health Inpatient Hospital Care.

• Special Projects Section

  • Develops and clarifies components of the classification system.

  • Researches and augments classification policies, regulations, and procedures.

  • Coordinates efforts to ensure the California Code of Regulations (CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations), Title 15 and the DOMDepartment Operations Manual are current.

  • Researches, analyzes, and generates administrative and informational bulletins, proposes and implements legislation, and responds to inquiries.

  • Provides teletype approval for prerelease transfers.

  • Prepares budget change proposals, composes memoranda and special reports to the Governor’s Office, and the Secretary.

• Sexually Violent Predator Unit

  • Refers potential Sexually Violent Predator (SVPSexually Violent Predator) cases to the Department of State Hospital (DSHDepartment of State Hospitals (formerly DMH)) via the Board of Parole Hearings (BPHBoard of Parole Hearings (formerly Board of Prison Terms)) for clinical evaluations and potential referral for prosecution and a renewable two-year civil commitment.

  • Coordinates with the BPHBoard of Parole Hearings (formerly Board of Prison Terms), DSHDepartment of State Hospitals (formerly DMH), Division of Adult Parole Operations, Correctional Case Records Administration, and Office of Legal Affairs to implement new laws and procedures (i.e., SVPSexually Violent Predator Program).

  • Acts as the liaison with city, county, State, and federal agencies.

• Restricted Housing Unit Section

  • Clarifies and standardizes CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) policy and procedures.

  • Audits RHU placement to ensure compliance with regulations.

  • Establishes criteria for classification review of prison gang validations for determining indeterminate RHU placement or retention.

  • Serves as a liaison to the Office of Correctional Safety to monitor enemy activity, high notoriety cases, and protective housing unit placements.

  • Oversees preparation, investigates, and provides an analysis of cases referred to the DRBDepartmental Review Board.

  • Coordinates the classification portion of the Department of Adult Institutions compliance reviews.

  • Conducts RHU bed utilization reviews to maximize use of beds.

  • Creates and maintains the Classification Services Representative (CSRClassification Staff Representative) travel schedule to ensure adequate coverage for all institutions.

• Minimum Custody Program Section

  • Identifies, monitors and coordinates placement of incarcerated persons ensuring full utilization of beds in Minimum Support Facilities and Camps.

  • Identifies, tracks and coordinates with the BPHBoard of Parole Hearings (formerly Board of Prison Terms) to facilitate return of foreign-born incarcerated persons to their country of citizenship in compliance with the Foreign Prisoner Transfer Treaty Program.

  • Is the liaison with foreign consul concerning issues related to foreign-born incarcerated persons.

  • Provides additional assistance pertaining to Archive File reviews.

  • Is the liaison for Close and Minimum Custody issues.

  • Provides additional assistance pertaining to Sensitive Needs Yard and Non- Designated Programming Facility concerns.

  • Is the liaison for Interstate Compact Parole issues.

  • Provides additional assistance pertaining to pre-release processes, including Penal Code 3060.7 Release or Transfers.

  • Is the liaison for Youth Offender Program issues.

  • Is the liaison for Post-Release Community Supervision and DAPODivision of Adult Parole Operations (formerly P&CSD) issues.

  • Research, develop, and revise departmental regulations and directives, and responds to inquiries pertaining to Minimum Custody criteria such as reviews for Violence, Arson, Escape, or “R” Suffix.

  • Analyze and report on Assembly Bill proposals, Senate Bill proposals and ballot initiatives that may impact the classification system.

• Training Section

  • Plans, coordinates, and presents annual training to Classification & Parole Representatives (C&PRs), Reception Center Correctional Counselors (CCCorrectional Counselor) IIIs, Assistant C&PRs, and other staff responsible for the classification process.

  • Collects CSRClassification Staff Representative audit reports and compiles information distributed in quarterly audit report summaries for the purpose of evaluating the classification processes.

  • Plans, coordinates, and presents quarterly CSRClassification Staff Representative training regarding classification process updates and changes to policy and procedure.

  • Coordinates, presents, and tracks training for all headquarters CCII Specialists and training for CSUClassification Services Unit staff.

  • Provides training for all CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation institutions, units, and offices in various areas of the classification process, on request.

  • Is the liaison with Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) regarding classification issues and training.

  • Plans, develops, and funds requests for CCCorrectional Counselor I and CCCorrectional Counselor II Supervisor Training Academies.

Administers and is responsible for planning and developing policies governing the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation uniform case records system.

Assumes responsibility and accountability for the accurate interpretation and application of laws, administrative standards, and court decisions related to the processing, maintenance, and control of inmate and parolee records.

Acts as administrative and technical advisor to CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation management on matters related to the records system and is the primary liaison with other governmental agencies, courts, legislators, and other persons on matters related to the records system.

Reviews and revises DOMDepartment Operations Manual Chapter 7, Case Records Information.

Conducts the records portion of the DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) Annual Compliance Review.

The Correctional Case Records Unit includes the following sections and functions:

• Legal Processing Unit

  • Reviews legal documents on cases with sentencing discrepancies and communicates with the court, DA, and Office of the Attorney General (OAGOffice of the Attorney General) to resolve discrepancies.

  • Functions as liaison between CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and related city, county, and State agencies on matters concerning the application of sentence and parole laws.

  • Acts as consultant/advisor to CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff, court offices, and other governmental agencies or authorized persons regarding CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation responsibility under pertinent laws and administrative standards, interpretations, and applications of laws and standards related to inmate receipt, sentencing, parole, and release.

  • Functions as the hub for records related matters for inmates serving their prison terms in DJJDivision of Juvenile Justice (formerly CYA)/CYASee Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facilities pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code (W&ICWelfare and Institutions Code) 1731.5c.

• Identification/ Warrants Unit

  • Operates 24-hours-a-day and provides inmate/parolee history, location, and commitment information to law enforcement agencies and other authorized persons.

  • Maintains the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Warrants Register and central dispatch system for the BPHBoard of Parole Hearings (formerly Board of Prison Terms) and NAEANarcotic Addiction Evaluation Authority warrants issued on parolees-at-large, and releasees-at-large, and places parole holds pursuant to Penal Code (PCPenal Code), 3056, and/or W&ICWelfare and Institutions Code 3151, for the DAPODivision of Adult Parole Operations (formerly P&CSD).

  • Responds to telephone inquiries concerning felons/civil addicts that require non-confidential information.

  • Receives and distributes incident reports.

• Correctional Case Records Training Unit

  • Analyzes training needs.

  • Plans and develops training programs.

  • Provides specialized, technical training to Case Records staff throughout the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

  • Provides technical and practical assistance to Case Records staff to eliminate backlogs.

  • Resolves legal and procedural problems.

• Archives Unit

  • Receives, processes, and maintains the records of all discharged felons for a period of 30 years from date of discharge.

  • Processes requests for documents pursuant to PCPenal Code 969(b), Proof of Prior Convictions.

  • Processes requests for documents for discharged felons, social service agencies, CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff, and State and national law enforcement.

Coordinates the transfer of inmates throughout the State with CSUClassification Services Unit, DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division), and DAPODivision of Adult Parole Operations (formerly P&CSD).

Coordinates the transfer of parole violators, escapees, and Western Interstate Corrections Compact cases to and from other states.

Compiles transportation needs information.

Schedules and routes inmates between facilities, and to and from county jails.

Maintains the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation fleet of transportation vehicles.

Institution Programs, under the guidance of the Director DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) and the Deputy Director, Operations and Programs, is responsible for the following program units:

Administers the statewide inmate Disability Placement Plan (DPPDisability Placement Plan).

Analyzes and coordinates the activities required by major litigation affecting the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Coordinates legislative proposals and bill analysis, chaptered law implementation, and modifications to the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15, Division 3 and the DOMDepartment Operations Manual.

Prepares analyses, issues memos, and recommendations for divisional and departmental consideration on a variety of correctional issues, policies, and practices.

Prepares written responses to inquiries concerning correctional operations and practices received from elected officials, public, State agencies, inmates’ families, and inmates.

The Institution Procedures Liaison Unit is comprised of the two following sections:

• Institution Standards and Operations Section

  • The Institution Standards and Operations Section (ISOS) develops, implements, administers, and monitors the DPPDisability Placement Plan to ensure effective access to programs, services, and activities for disabled individuals incarcerated within the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The ISOS provides DPPDisability Placement Plan management and guidance to all institutions concerning placement, accommodation, and access issues related to disabled inmates. The Facility Captain, ISOS, serves as CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s coordinator as mandated by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Litigation Management Section

  • In coordination with the OLAOffice of Legal Affairs, the Litigation Management Section:

    • Provides litigation coordination for the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in response to major litigation actions filed by or on behalf of inmates.

    • Provides the focal point for the analysis, review, and interpretation of issues raised in legal suits and their applicability to correctional policy and practices.

    • Prepares required court reports.

    • Serves as litigation liaison for the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to the affected institutions, divisions, house counsel, OAGOffice of the Attorney General, plaintiffs’ attorneys, and inmates.

    • Provides functional support to the institutional litigation coordinators.

    • Coordinates the divisions activities related to reviewing, interpreting, and evaluating issues impacting correctional policies.

    • Coordinates with the Regulation and Policy Management Branch (RPMBRegulation and Policy Management Branch) for issues impacting Title 15 and DOMDepartment Operations Manual.

    • Coordinates activities to develop legislative proposals.

    • Provides assistance to field inquiries concerning policy issues.

    • Maintains direct responsibility for the correctional visiting policy.

The Community Correctional Facilities (CCFCommunity Correctional Facilities) Administration Section oversees the statewide coordination and support of CCFCommunity Correctional Facilities programs including:

• Establishing and administering State-operated and contracted CCFs.

• Developing and processing contracts for CCFCommunity Correctional Facilities programs.

• Identifying and coordinating transportation needs.

• Evaluating, monitoring, and auditing CCFCommunity Correctional Facilities programs to ensure compliance with CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation policies and procedures and contract requirements.

• Providing and maintaining operational integrity of CCFCommunity Correctional Facilities programs/facilities and community relations.

• Providing administrative support to parole regions and resolving problems between parole regions and facilities.

The Office Of Appeals (OOAOffice of Appeals) monitors CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation processes utilized by an inmate or parolee to appeal any CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation decision, action, condition, omission, or policy which they can demonstrate as having a material adverse effect upon their welfare.

The responsibilities of the OOAOffice of Appeals include:

• Providing a fair and objective review of inmate and parolee appeals at the Secretary’s level.

• Meeting with CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation administrators to review policy and procedure needs as revealed by inmate appeals.

• Conducting audits of facility and parole appeals units.

The Chief, OOAOffice of Appeals, may act for the Secretary in matters regarding inmate/parolee appeal issues, policies, and practices. As such the Chief, OOAOffice of Appeals, shall:

• Provide authoritative expertise and guidance.

• Oversee and monitor the Department’s conformity with regulations and operating procedures pertaining to or affecting appeals processes.

• Ensure that the necessary training and assistance relative to the appeal system is provided to local appeals coordinators and appropriately delegated staff.

The Director, DAIDivision of Adult Institutions (formerly Institutions Division) or designee is responsible for ensuring that the contents of this Article are kept current and accurate.