September 25, 2025 13:00-15:00
SIFC Members in attendance: Angel Rice, Tyquanique Jackson Funtila, Crystal Dean, Abby Salim, Katia Campbell, Clara Garcia, Elizabeth Hernandez
1. Tablet Transition (Via Path → Securus)
- Rollout begins October 2025 with camps first; institutions by February 2026. The schedule is available online for viewing at https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/family-resources/tablets/. This can be subject to change.
- Messaging will be sent to incarcerated people (IPs) via current tablets.
- Photos & messages will not automatically transfer.
- Video Visits: Verification with ID required for adults; minors cannot independently use video calls without ID. Messaging access for minors remains unchanged.
- Kiosk use for video calls remains.
- Messaging: Will function the same as the current system.
- Caller ID: Numbers will now be facility-specific instead of one statewide number.
- The appeals process for denied photos is located on the website currently for VIAPATH, and one will be available online for Securus.
- Tablets will no longer need passcodes to access; they will use a fingerprint scanner to access. The incarcerated will also be able to move between apps without logging off.
- VSA will remain for appointment scheduling.
2. Policy Standardization – Vendor Classification
- Question raised about reclassifying the vitamin vendor as a special purchase vendor.
- Response: Not eligible under Title 15 §3190.
- Consumables (food, vitamins, supplements) remain quarterly package items.
- Families encouraged to explore alternative vendors with broader product offerings.
3. Cal AIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal)
- Goal: Whole-person care for reentry support (mental health, substance use, food, housing, employment, transportation).
- Services begin pre-release to ensure continuity.
- Eligibility: Most incarcerated individuals qualify, particularly with chronic conditions, substance use, mental health issues, or pregnancy.
- Enhanced Care Managers (ECMs) act as navigators/concierges post-release.
- Day-of-release Medi-Cal activation prevents service gaps.
- Families encouraged to promote enrollment and pre-release appointments.
- Resources, flyers, and website links available through CCHCS / Cal AIM.
4. Board of Parole Hearings Updates
Presented by Jessica Bilenya, Chief Counsel:
- Hearing Process:
- Typically, 2–3 hours; ~8,000 scheduled annually; many postponed or waived.
- Conducted primarily by video, in-person if required (ADA, communication needs).
- Grant Rate: ~33–34% in 2024 (see Significant Events Report for full data).
- Decision Factors:
- Focus on current dangerousness (per in re Lawrence).
- Static factors: offense & history.
- Dynamic factors: programming, behavior, personal change, release plans.
- Participation:
- The law dictates hearing participants in CA; Incarcerated individuals, attorneys, DA, victims/families, interpreters, and staff as needed.
- Families cannot attend hearings directly but may submit letters of support.
- Public comments allowed during en banc reviews.
- Programming Evidence:
- Post Conviction Report prepared by Correctional Counselor.
- Programs through CDCR are tracked and included in the Central File, and BPH has access.
- Incarcerated people can submit certificates from outside entities; book reports; Edovo tablet courses are also accepted.
- Programs through mental health services are documented in the electronic health record.
- Accommodation:
- Broad ADA support is available (interpreters, assistive devices, transcriptionists, etc.).
- TABE scores may be used to justify additional accommodation.
- Yard Designation: Why is the Board asking about SNY/NDPF placement versus GP placement if these are not formal requirements?
- An incarcerated person needs to be able to articulate what they have done to distance themselves from STG activity and how they are safely programming.
- Include reasons why they continue to reside in GP housing (programming, vocational, opportunities).
- Weight of Risk Assessments vs. Other Factors: How does the Board balance Comprehensive Risk Assessments with program participation and disciplinary history?
- The board considers the incarcerated person’s central and medical files, Comprehensive Risk Assessment, additional documents from the incarcerated person, written responses from the public, incarcerated person’s testimony, statements from the victim(s) and victim’s family members, and statements from the prosecutor.
- They use a structured decision-making framework that uses an evidence-based approach.
- Hearing panels generally focus on who the person was at the time of the commitment offense and who they are now.
- Approval of Programs: How are board-approved programs selected, and what is the process for designating them as meeting rehabilitative goals?
- There are no board-approved programs.
- Commissioners visit institutions twice annually to assess offerings and refer individuals to programs.
- Definition of “Unreasonable Risk.”
- When deciding if a person currently poses an unreasonable risk of danger to society, hearing panels weigh factors relevant to predicting whether the person will commit more antisocial acts, such as crimes of violence, causing personal or financial harm to others, or failing on parole through noncompliance with the reasonable restrictions imposed by their parole agent.
- Inconsistent Recommendations: Why aren’t all recommendations given upfront to streamline the path to suitability?
- The Board provides recommendations based on what they believe is necessary for the individual to achieve suitability. Some individuals may still need additional time and growth
- Each case is unique.
- Use of Confidential Information: Why is confidential information accepted as fact?
- Any document containing information from a confidential source shall include an evaluation of the source’s reliability, a brief statement of the reason for the conclusion reached, and a statement of the reason why the information or source is not disclosed. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15, § 3321, subd (b)(2).)
- Reliability. The reliability of confidential information to be used shall be established to the satisfaction of the hearing panel. A finding of reliability shall be documented by the hearing panel. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15, § 2235, subd. (a).)
- Restitution Circumvention:
- Incarcerated people should be honest with the board when answering the questions regarding restitution.
- Investigations typically cover the past 2–3 years and are more likely in close-call decisions.
- Due to the recent changes in restitution, there will be changes within the next year or two where restitution circumvention will no longer be reviewed.
- English as a Second Language
- Due to budget limitations, Comprehensive Risk Assessments (CRAs) and hearing transcripts are only available in English.
- New Regulations: Commutation & resentencing process (excluding 290 PC registrants at this time).
- Apply to LWOP cases with 25+ years served, not in the current parole cycle.
- Two-step process: informal review → hearing.
- Public comments open until Oct. 21, 2025.