Chapter 1 – General Administration

The Director of the Division of Internal Oversight and Research (DIORDivision of Internal Oversight and Research) reports to the Undersecretary of Administration and Offender Services. The DIORDivision of Internal Oversight and Research contains the Office of Internal Affairs, the Office of Research, the Offender Information Services Branch and the Office of Audits and Court Compliance.

The Office of Internal Affairs (OIAOffice of Internal Affairs) is the departmental entity with authority to investigate allegations of employee misconduct when appropriate. The Associate Director, Office of Civil Rights (OCROffice of Civil Rights (see OIA)), a branch of the OIAOffice of Internal Affairs, serves as an advisor to the Secretary on policies and procedures for implementing the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs)) and Sexual Harassment policy in accordance with state and federal law. 

The OCROffice of Civil Rights (see OIA) serves the Department by providing information and assistance regarding discrimination, procedures for filing complaints, developing and implementing
non-discrimination policies, and ensuring compliance with these policies by all employees. This office develops prevention strategies for a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and facilitates resolution of complaints filed with the U.S.United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOCU.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), and other external compliance agencies, in addition to complaints filed internally. The OCROffice of Civil Rights (see OIA) provides technical assistance and training to EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) Coordinators, Assistant EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) Coordinators, EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) Counselors, managers, and supervisors in complying with state and federal statutes, regulations, and departmental policy relating to EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) and civil rights. 

The OCROffice of Civil Rights (see OIA) coordinates the activities of the Disability Advisory Committee, which serves as an advisory body to the Secretary, on issues affecting employment opportunities and equitable treatment for all applicants, employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers with disabilities.

The OIAOffice of Internal Affairs ensures allegations of employee misconduct are objectively reviewed and investigated in a manner that provides a complete and thorough presentation of all facts regarding the allegation or complaint for the use by the hiring authority in making a determination of appropriate remedy or discipline.

The OIAOffice of Internal Affairs reviews complaints and conducts inquiries and investigations of staff misconduct including, but not limited to, allegations related to: 

• CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy violation(s). 

• CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Sexual Harassment policy violation(s).  

• Discrimination.  

• Harassment. 

• EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) Retaliation.

• Misconduct that is criminal in nature.

• Misconduct that is administrative in nature.

• Whistleblower Retaliation.

• Workers Compensation Fraud.

• Employee Use of Deadly Force.

All investigations and inquiries shall be conducted in compliance with all laws, regulations, and departmental policies. 

The policy of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to ensure EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) for all applicants and employees, to promote a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and to conduct training and timely investigations in compliance with civil rights laws and CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation policy. 

The Office of Research (OROffice of Research) objectively evaluates the Department’s correctional programs with regard to their implementation and effectiveness in reducing the recidivism and return to custody rates and protecting public safety. The branch does this by conducting internal research projects evaluating the outcomes of Department programs and by providing technical advice and oversight of research on Department programs conducted by external researchers under contract with CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The OROffice of Research also reviews and coordinates the approval of all research projects proposed by outside researchers who desire to study socio-behavioral characteristics of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmates and parolees as required by the PCPenal Code. The chief of the branch serves as the chair for the Department Research Advisory Committee whose approval must be granted before socio-behavioral research can begin within the Department.

The Offender Information Services Branch (OISBOffender Information Services Branch) has been designated as the primary provider of summary statistical information about CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmates and parolees. The OISBOffender Information Services Branch responds to special requests; compiles statistical reports; prepares legislative estimates, and population projections; coordinates the timely, accurate, and consistent coding and entry of data; and performs data integrity control functions for the Offender Based Information System, classification, incident, and all other major current and proposed computerized inmate and parolee databases.

Estimates and Statistical Analysis Section

• The Estimates and Statistical Analysis Section is the primary source for summary statistical information on inmates and parolees under the jurisdiction of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This Section ensures that CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has accurate data and analyses on which to base program planning and direction; compiles and analyzes information for special projects, court cases, special task forces or programs; prepares periodical statistical reports about inmates and parolees used in budget planning, legislative responses, and audits; and prepares all CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation projections of future facility and parole populations, including inmate classification levels. This Section also prepares estimates of the impact of proposed legislation, ballot initiatives, and administrative policy changes. In addition, this Section reviews and approves CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation information to be disseminated to the public by CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation branches and divisions.

Information Quality Support Section

• The information Quality Support Section (IQSSInformation Quality Support Section) in OISBOffender Information Services Branch is responsible for providing Quality Assurance (QAQuality Assurance) oversight for major current, proposed, and future statewide offender information systems. The QAQuality Assurance procedures to be applied to these CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation information systems include continuous monitoring of the validity and currency of data, and developing appropriate procedures and solutions to correct inaccuracies or out of date data.

• The IQSSInformation Quality Support Section does not directly implement most procedures and solutions. Rather, once a problem has been identified, IQSSInformation Quality Support Section provides the owners of the data with the tools and procedures aimed at eliminating the problem. After the owners of the data have implemented these tools and procedures, the IQSSInformation Quality Support Section provides ongoing review of the data to ensure its accuracy, currency, and completeness.

• This Section also conducts routine and special analyses to maintain accuracy and integrity of data; handles requests for changes and improvements in the data systems; and provides necessary training for facility OBISOffender Based Information System operations.

The Office of Audits and Court Compliance (OACCOffice of Audits and Court Compliance) is authorized to perform audits, internal control reviews, and compliance assessments on behalf of, and at the request of, executive management. OACCOffice of Audits and Court Compliance is comprised of two Branches:

• Audits and Operational Data Branch

  • This branch is comprised of four subsections which includes:

    • Audits Section – Performs internal audit function for California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation). The Audits Section conducts fiscal and compliance audits of department contractors, conducts performance audits and special reviews of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s internal operations, and provides consultation as necessary.

    • External Audits Unit – Serves as a liaison between external audit agencies and CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, manages the department’s Employee Suggestion Program, and develops Office of Audits and Court Compliance annual publications.

    • Security Audit/Review Unit – Conducts audits of security systems and operations, to identify and report weaknesses that potentially create risks to the safety and security of adult institutions.

    • Management and Audit Support Section – Provides administrative and program support to the Office of Audits and Court Compliance

• Court Compliance Branch

  • This branch is comprised of four units and monitors the department’s adherence to court-ordered remedial plans, departmental policies, and other litigation requirements.

    • Disability Placement Program Compliance Review Unit (Armstrong v. Newsom) – Serves to ensure that incarcerated persons with permanent disabilities obtain necessary accommodations, protections, and services within CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s institutions. The Disability Placement Program Compliance Review unit conducts compliance reviews of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s adult facilities and headquarters to measure compliance with the Armstrong v. Newsom (Armstrong) remedial plan, court mandates, and CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation policies and procedures related to the Armstrong class action lawsuit.

    • Developmental Disability Program Compliance Review Unit (Clark v. California) – Serves to ensure that incarcerated persons with developmental disabilities obtain necessary accommodations, protections, and services within CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s institutions. The Developmental Disability Program (DDP) unit conducts compliance reviews of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s adult facilities and headquarters. The compliance reviews measure compliance with the Clark v. California (Clark) remedial plan, court mandates and CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation policies and procedures related to the Clark class action lawsuit.

    • Compliance Review Unit – Conducts compliance reviews of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s allegations of staff misconduct process and associated program areas. These areas include, but are not limited to: Office of Grievances for each institution, Centralized Screening Team, Office of Appeals, and the Allegation Investigation Unit under the Office of Internal Affairs.

    • Quality Control Unit – Ensures the work produced by the Court Compliance Branch is consistent, clear, transparent, truthful, accurate, and of high quality that will withstand scrutiny in an objective, systematic, and collaborative manner.