Corrections.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not mention sheriffs being affected by this law, only that it revises provisions related to their authority over county jails in certain circumstances.

Changes for County Corrections Departments

This law changes how county boards can set up departments for corrections, including fire camps, and sets rules for who leads these departments.

What This Bill Does

• Requires a board of supervisors to explain why they are setting up a department of corrections and rehabilitation.
• Includes fire camps under the control of the county's corrections department.
• Clarifies that peace officers can be employed by the county's corrections department.
• Sets qualifications for the person who leads the corrections department.
• Requires this leader to ensure jail workers meet certain standards.

Who It Names or Affects

• County boards of supervisors
• Departments of corrections and rehabilitation in counties that choose to establish them

Terms To Know

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

A county agency responsible for managing jails, fire camps, and other facilities related to prisoner care and rehabilitation.

Peace Officers

Law enforcement officers who have the authority to make arrests and enforce laws.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how many counties will choose to establish a department of corrections and rehabilitation.
• It is unclear what specific qualifications are required for the executive officer leading the corrections department.
• The bill does not address how existing sheriff responsibilities will be transferred to the new corrections departments.

Official Summary Text

AB 2257, as amended, Hart.
Corrections.
Existing law authorizes a board of supervisors of any county to, by resolution, establish a department of corrections, to be headed by an officer appointed by the board, which has jurisdiction over all county functions, personnel, and facilities, or so many as the board names in its resolution, relating to institutional punishment, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of prisoners, including, but not limited to, the county jail and industrial farms and road camps, their functions and personnel. Existing law, except as specified, requires the sheriff to take charge of and be the sole and exclusive authority to keep the county jail and the prisoners in it, as specified.
This bill would require a board exercising the authority to establish a department of corrections and rehabilitation described above to set forth its reasons for doing so. The
bill would specifically include fire camps within the jurisdiction of the
county
department of corrections and
rehabilitation.
rehabilitation and would clarify that a county department of corrections and rehabilitation may employ peace officers.
The bill would also require the executive officer appointed by the board to head the department of corrections and rehabilitation to meet specified qualifications and to assume specified duties over county
jails.
jails, including ensuring that personnel working in the above-described facilities and settings
meet minimum requirements.
The bill would also revise the provision requiring the sheriff to take charge of and be the sole and exclusive authority to keep the county jail and the incarcerated persons to state that the provision does not apply in counties that have established a department of corrections and rehabilitation pursuant to the authority described above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF