Existing law authorizes a person sentenced to imprisonment in a state prison or to imprisonment in a county jail for the conviction of a felony, during that period of confinement, to be deprived of those rights, and only those rights, as are reasonably related to legitimate penological interests. Existing law provides, subject to that provision, that prisons prisoners have certain civil rights, including, among others, the right to correspond, confidentially, with any member of the State Bar or holder of public office, provided that the prison authorities may open and inspect incoming mail to search for contraband.

This would require an inmate in the each state prison or a and county jail to provide inmates incarcerated persons with reasonable access to outside victim advocates for emotional support services related to sexual abuse, domestic violence, and suicide prevention by allowing inmates incarcerated persons to call the toll-free hotlines of organizations that provide mental health crisis support. The bill would require that reasonable communication between an inmate incarcerated person and those organizations is be confidential and that calls to the toll-free hotlines are be free of cost to inmates. incarcerated persons. By imposing additional duties on county jails, this the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.