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    SB-551
    Justice & Public Safety

    Corrections and rehabilitation: state policy.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Redefines prison's primary purpose as rehabilitation and personal growth rather than punishment alone.
    • Requires prisons to make conditions as close to normal life as possible while maintaining security.
    • Mandates staff training on dynamic security principles to improve officer-inmate relationships.
    • Directs prisons to partner with community organizations to expand rehabilitation programs.

    Summary

    Senator Cortese's corrections reform legislation redefines California's approach to incarceration by establishing normalization and dynamic security as core principles for promoting rehabilitation and successful community reintegration. The bill directs the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to maintain prison conditions that mirror life outside confinement as closely as possible while fostering direct, respectful communication between staff and incarcerated individuals.

    The legislation modifies sentencing guidelines to emphasize that the deprivation of liberty satisfies the punishment aspect of incarceration, positioning rehabilitation and personal growth as primary objectives. Courts must consider individual circumstances and trauma history when determining sentences, while correctional facilities must provide access to educational, vocational, and restorative justice programs tailored to residents' needs.

    Under the new provisions, the Department must develop comprehensive training for correctional staff on implementing normalization and dynamic security principles. The bill also mandates increased collaboration with community organizations to expand rehabilitative programming within facilities. These changes aim to create environments where both incarcerated individuals and staff can maintain healthier relationships and reduce risks associated with confinement, including stress, violent behavior, and recidivism.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Public Safety Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Public Safety Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate 3rd Reading SB551 Cortese et al
    Senate Public Safety Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Public Safety Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Josh BeckerD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Dave CorteseD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 20 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Josh BeckerD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Dave CorteseD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Nick SchultzD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Dave Cortese
    Dave CorteseD
    California State Senator
    Co-Authors
    Akilah Weber Pierson
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    California State Senator
    Tom Umberg
    Tom UmbergD
    California State Senator
    Josh Becker
    Josh BeckerD
    California State Senator
    Nick Schultz
    Nick SchultzD
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 17, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Public Safety Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7209PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Redefines prison's primary purpose as rehabilitation and personal growth rather than punishment alone.
    • Requires prisons to make conditions as close to normal life as possible while maintaining security.
    • Mandates staff training on dynamic security principles to improve officer-inmate relationships.
    • Directs prisons to partner with community organizations to expand rehabilitation programs.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Dave Cortese
    Dave CorteseD
    California State Senator
    Co-Authors
    Akilah Weber Pierson
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    California State Senator
    Tom Umberg
    Tom UmbergD
    California State Senator
    Josh Becker
    Josh BeckerD
    California State Senator
    Nick Schultz
    Nick SchultzD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Senator Cortese's corrections reform legislation redefines California's approach to incarceration by establishing normalization and dynamic security as core principles for promoting rehabilitation and successful community reintegration. The bill directs the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to maintain prison conditions that mirror life outside confinement as closely as possible while fostering direct, respectful communication between staff and incarcerated individuals.

    The legislation modifies sentencing guidelines to emphasize that the deprivation of liberty satisfies the punishment aspect of incarceration, positioning rehabilitation and personal growth as primary objectives. Courts must consider individual circumstances and trauma history when determining sentences, while correctional facilities must provide access to educational, vocational, and restorative justice programs tailored to residents' needs.

    Under the new provisions, the Department must develop comprehensive training for correctional staff on implementing normalization and dynamic security principles. The bill also mandates increased collaboration with community organizations to expand rehabilitative programming within facilities. These changes aim to create environments where both incarcerated individuals and staff can maintain healthier relationships and reduce risks associated with confinement, including stress, violent behavior, and recidivism.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Public Safety Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Public Safety Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate 3rd Reading SB551 Cortese et al
    Senate Public Safety Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Public Safety Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 17, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Public Safety Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7209PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Josh BeckerD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Dave CorteseD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 20 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Josh BeckerD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Dave CorteseD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Nick SchultzD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member