Penal Code § 5000.5 - California Law

(a)The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the purpose of incarceration is rehabilitation accomplished only if the period of imprisonment is used to maximize personal growth for all residents and facilitate their reintegration into society upon release, enabling them to lead law-abiding and self-sufficient lives, reducing recidivism. The Legislature finds and declares that community-based organizations are an integral part of achieving the state’s objective of ensuring that all people incarcerated in a state prison have access to rehabilitative programs.

(b)The Legislature recognizes that life in prison can never be the same as life in a free society. However, active steps should be taken to make conditions in prison as close to normal

life as possible, aside from loss of liberty, and to ensure that this normalization does not lead to inhumane prison conditions.

(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation integrate, to the extent possible, the principles of normalization and dynamic security to establish safer conditions for incarcerated persons and correctional staff. The Legislature recognizes that the principle of dynamic security promotes a healthier environment for correctional officers, staff, and individuals within a correctional facility by improving the relationship between incarcerated individuals and staff. Improved communication, mentorship, and normalization improve health outcomes for department staff and incarcerated individuals by reducing risks such as violent behavior, recidivism, and stress. The Legislature also recognizes the principle of normalization, which states that life inside prison should be as

close to life outside of prison as possible, and should prepare incarcerated persons to be productive and contributing members of society upon their release.

(d)The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is directed to maintain a mission statement consistent with the principles of normalization and dynamic security, shall facilitate access for community-based programs, and should develop training for all correctional staff on the principles of normalization and dynamic security in order to meaningfully effectuate the principles set forth in this section.