BILL NUMBER: SB 1117	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Vasconcellos

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act relating to inmates.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1117, as introduced, Vasconcellos.  Inmates: rehabilitation.
   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to establish
a program that would enlist the families of inmates in the
rehabilitation of the inmates.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The public safety of all Californians is best served by
operation of our state prison system in a manner that maximizes the
opportunities for inmates, especially those who are eventually going
to be released back into our midst, to be prepared by enhancing their
capabilities to lead constructive lives, safe for the rest of us,
upon their release.
   (b) It is therefore in the public interest of all Californians, by
contributing to all of our public safety, to systematically engage
the families of inmates in designing and implementing their
rehabilitation process.
   (c) The Legislature intends hereby to have the Department of
Corrections design and implement a program which will, to the maximum
extent feasible and valuable, enlist the families of inmates in
their rehabilitation process, so that when each of them is released
back into our midst, he or she is more able to lead a constructive
life, enhancing the public safety of all Californians.
  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this
chapter, to establish a program in the Department of Corrections
which will enlist the families of inmates in the rehabilitation
process.