SB-551
Justice & Public Safety

Corrections and rehabilitation: state policy.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
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 Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
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
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
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 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Josh BeckerD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
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
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

May 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
2810240PASS

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

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 Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
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

May 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
2810240PASS

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
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 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Josh BeckerD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member