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AB-254 Contraband in state prisons.(2021-2022)



Current Version: 05/24/21 - Amended Assembly

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AB254:v96#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 24, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  April 06, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 18, 2021

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 254


Introduced by Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Lackey)

January 14, 2021


An act to amend Section 6402 of the Penal Code, relating to state prisons.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 254, as amended, Jones-Sawyer. Contraband in state prisons.
Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to develop policies related to its contraband interdiction efforts for individuals entering CDCR detention facilities, including, but not limited to, the establishment of unpredictable, random search efforts and methods, as specified.
This bill would require the policies developed by CDCR to include comprehensive searches of all persons entering CDCR adult facilities instead of random search efforts and methods, as specified. The bill would make these requirements inapplicable to a facility subject to closure as of January 1, 2022. The bill would require CDCR to conduct an evaluation of its contraband interdiction policy and provide an annual report to the Legislature on January 1 each year, as specified.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 6402 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

6402.
 (a) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) shall develop policies related to the department’s contraband interdiction efforts for individuals entering CDCR detention facilities. When developed, these policies shall include, but not be limited to, the following specifications:
(1) Application to all individuals, including visitors, all department staff, including executive staff, volunteers, and contract employees.
(2) All visitors attempting to enter a CDCR detention facility shall be informed that they may refuse to be searched by a passive alert dog.
(3) All visitors attempting to enter a CDCR detention facility who refuse to be searched by a passive alert dog shall be informed of options, including, but not limited to, the availability of a noncontact visit.
(4) All individuals attempting to enter a CDCR detention facility, who have a positive alert for contraband by an electronic drug detection device, a passive alert dog, or other technology, shall be informed of further potential search or visitation options.
(5) Establishment of a method by which an individual may demonstrate an authorized health-related use of a controlled substance when a positive alert is noted by an electronic drug detection device, a passive alert dog, or other technology.
(6) Establishment of specific requirements for additional search options when multiple positive alerts occur on an individual employee within a specified timeframe.
(7) Require comprehensive searches of all persons entering CDCR adult facilities, including the search of personal property brought inside the facility. These searches may include the use of full-body scanners and baggage and parcel x-ray devices to detect contraband.
(b) CDCR shall conduct an evaluation of the policy described in this section and provide an annual report to the Legislature on January 1 each year, starting on January 1, 2023. The report shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) An assessment of the relative cost-effectiveness in reducing inmate drug use of each contraband interdiction strategy used in the policy.
(2) Data on and analysis of instances of contraband entering the prison, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) How the contraband was brought or attempted to be brought into the prison.
(B) When the violation occurred.
(C) Whether the person who is alleged to have committed the violation is an inmate, staff member, visitor, volunteer, contractor, or other.
(D) The type of contraband involved.
(E) How the violation was discovered.
(F) Data on and analysis of arrests resulting from the violation, including, but not limited to, the number and type of arrests.
(G) Data on and analysis of disciplinary actions taken against staff or inmates as a result of their participation in efforts to bring contraband into the prison.
(3) An assessment of whether the policy caused declines in or any other observable impact on visitation.
(4) An assessment of whether the policy caused changes in the prevalence of violence or lockdowns in the prison.
(5) Any other data the department determines has probative value as to the efficacy of the new policy.
(c) The reports to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d) The requirements imposed by the act that added this subdivision do not apply to a facility that the department has announced is subject closure as of January 1, 2022.