Corrections and rehabilitation: state policy.

Senator Cortese's corrections reform legislation redefines California's approach to incarceration by establishing that the deprivation of liberty alone satisfies the punishment purpose of sentencing, while directing prisons to focus on rehabilitation and successful community reintegration. The bill amends Section 1170 of the Penal Code to require that prison conditions mirror normal life as closely as possible, except where necessary for security and discipline.

The legislation mandates that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation adopt principles of "dynamic security" - emphasizing direct, respectful communication between staff and incarcerated individuals - and "normality" in its mission and operations. These approaches aim to prepare incarcerated persons for release by maintaining their social roles and connections while providing access to educational, mental health, and skill-building programs delivered by community organizations.

Under the amended code, courts must apply standardized sentencing guidelines while considering factors such as psychological trauma, age at offense, and rehabilitation efforts when determining sentences. The bill preserves existing provisions for recall and resentencing of individuals sentenced to life without parole who demonstrate rehabilitation after serving specified portions of their terms. According to the bill's findings, 95 percent of incarcerated individuals will eventually return to their communities, making successful reintegration programs essential for public safety.