(a) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may contract for the establishment and operation of separate community correctional reentry centers for men and women, provided that the per-inmate cost for operating these facilities under contract will be less than the per-inmate cost of maintaining custody of the inmates by the department. The department may enter into long-term contracts, not to exceed 10 years, for transfer of prisoners to, or placement of prisoners in, facilities under contract pursuant to this section.

(b) The purpose of the community correctional reentry center is to provide an enhancement program to increase the likelihood of a successful parole. The objective of the program is to make the inmates aware of their responsibility to society, and to assist the inmates with educational and employment training to ensure employability once on parole.

(c) A community correctional reentry center shall prepare the inmate for reintegration into society. These centers shall provide counseling in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse, stress, employment skills, victim awareness, and shall, in general, prepare the inmate for return to society. The program shall also emphasize literacy training and utilize computer-supported training so that the inmate can read and write at least at a 9th-grade level.

(d) In awarding contracts pursuant to this section, the secretary shall advertise the potential contract and may entertain proposals for the establishment and operation of community correctional reentry centers from public and private entities and shall give preference to the following community correctional reentry centers:

(1) Centers located near large population centers.

(2) Centers with approved state or local land use.

(3) Centers with an identified facility with appropriate capacity to serve not greater than 200 individuals.

(4) Centers that provide a rehabilitative, supportive setting and programming that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and community oriented in order to improve the outcomes of the participants and reduce recidivism.

(5) Centers operated by a nonprofit organization that has demonstrated experience successfully operating community correctional reentry centers.

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, except as provided in subdivision (d), for the purposes of entering into or renewing agreements pursuant to this section, any process, regulation, or requirement, including any state government reviews or approvals, or third-party approval that is required under, or implemented pursuant to, any statute that relates to entering into or renewing those agreements, is hereby waived.

(f) On or after October 14, 2023, the department shall not contract for the establishment or operation of a community correctional reentry center located in current or former state prison facilities or on current or former state prison property. This subdivision does not apply to other types of facilities owned or operated by the department.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 190, Sec. 8. (SB 135) Effective September 13, 2023.)