Plain English Breakdown
The official status shows 'Passed Legislature' but also lists a recent committee action of being held under submission, which creates uncertainty about the final enactment date.
Single-Occupancy Cell Pilot Program
This law requires state prison officials to start a test program that places some incarcerated people in single rooms at four selected facilities.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Secretary of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a pilot program for single-occupancy cells by January 1, 2027.
- Directs the secretary to choose four adult prison facilities to take part in this test.
- Sets rules so that 10% of people at each chosen facility can be placed in these single rooms.
- Makes joining the program voluntary for incarcerated individuals based on set criteria.
- Orders a public report by March 15, 2028, to share details about how many people are housed this way and their education activities.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- People incarcerated in four selected adult state prisons
- The Governor and the Legislature who will receive the final report
Terms To Know
- Pilot program
- A test project used to try out a new idea before deciding if it should be done everywhere.
- Single-occupancy cell
- A prison room designed for only one person instead of two or more people sharing the space.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not name which four prisons will be chosen.
- The specific rules that decide who qualifies for a single cell are not listed in this text, though the secretary must establish them.
- No funding amount is mentioned to pay for building or running these cells.