Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not provide an effective date or specific timeline for implementation.
AB-2434: Rules for Prison Visits
This law requires prisons to be open for visits at least three days a week, limits reasons for denying visits or searching visitors without consent, and ensures most visits allow physical contact.
What This Bill Does
- Requires each facility to be open for visitation at least 3 days per week.
- Prohibits facilities from denying visits based on sex, race, criminal history, or other specified factors.
- Mandates that all visits must allow physical contact unless the incarcerated person is in a restricted housing unit.
- Stops facilities from canceling visit rights due to rule violations not related to visiting.
- Requires staff to let visitors fix small mistakes and return within one hour of closing time if possible.
- Bans searching visitors without their voluntary, informed, and written consent.
- Allows facilities to deny contact visits only for the day if a visitor refuses a search, but requires offering a noncontact visit on the same day if space is available.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who are incarcerated in state facilities
- Family members and friends visiting inmates
- Staff working at Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities
Terms To Know
- Contact visit
- A visit where the visitor can touch or sit near the incarcerated person.
- Noncontact visit
- A visit separated by glass or a barrier where no touching is allowed.
- Restricted housing unit
- A special area in prison for people who need extra security measures, where contact visits may not be allowed.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law does not specify an effective date.
- Facilities can still deny visits if there is a documented and credible security threat, even after long travel or time gaps.
- Noncontact visit options are only available on the same day if space exists in the facility.