Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

54040.19 Community Services

• Institutions shall provide victims of in-custody sexual violence, or staff sexual misconduct with access to mailing addresses and phone numbers of outside rape crisis organizations, victim advocacy groups and immigrant services agencies per 28 CFR, Part 115, Standard 115.53.  

• This PREA standard requires that inmates be allowed to correspond with staff in the rape crisis center/victim advocate in as confidential manner as possible.  To facilitate this correspondence, inmate mail that is being sent to the locally designated rape crisis center will be treated as confidential mail.  

  • The letter must be addressed to the Rape Crisis Center and may include a specific staff member’s name.

  • The inmate’s full name, Department identification number, and the address of the institution shall be included in the return address appearing on the outside of the envelope.

  • The word “confidential” shall appear on the face of the envelope.   Failure to do this will result in the letter being processed as regular mail or being returned to the inmate if for any reason the mail cannot be processed as regular mail.

  • Inmates shall post confidential mail by presenting the mail unsealed to designated staff.  In the presence of the inmate, the staff shall remove the contents of the envelope upside down to prevent reading of the contents.  Staff shall remove the pages and shake them to ensure there is no prohibited material, consistent with the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations.  If no prohibited material is discovered, the contents shall be returned to the envelope and sealed.  Staff shall place their signature, badge number, and date across the sealed area on the back of the envelope.  Staff shall then deposit the confidential mail in the appropriate depository.

  • If prohibited material is found in the confidential mail, the prohibited material shall be confiscated; however, the letter may be returned to the inmate or mailed following the process outlined above.  If the prohibited material indicates a violation of the law or intent to violate the law, the matter may be referred to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution.  Administrative and/or disciplinary action shall also be taken against all parties involved. 

• Mental Health Services shall be provided as directed under the Mental Health Responsibility Section 54040.10.

• If the victim is a parolee, the victim may be referred to the Parolee Outpatient Clinic, local mental health agencies, and Rape Crisis Intervention Centers, as the need arises.