The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) recently
approved the biennial update of the regulations guiding the
incarceration of juveniles. The updates to Titles 15 and 24 of
the California Code of Regulations reflect the latest
scientific research into adolescent brain development and the
impacts of childhood trauma on behavior and reactions, among
other issues.
Highlights of the proposed revisions designed to improve safety
for youth and facility staff include: changes to regulations
requiring more detailed reporting of use of force incidents;
assuring that chemical agents will be employed only after
sufficient attempts at de-escalation of potentially violent
situations; implementation of trauma-informed care considerations
to ensure the safety of all youth and staff; ensuring transition
and aftercare plans to help successful reintegration into
community; aligning room confinement standards with current law,
which includes a four-hour time limit and eliminating confinement
as punishment; and ensuring that youth will be allowed to have
their own underwear throughout their stay.
The Board ultimately opted to keep the current 1:10 ratio after
reading comments submitted in writing to the Board and hearing
from a variety of advocates that included the California State
Association of Counties (CSAC) and the Chief Probation Officers
of California (CPOC). The revisions presented to the Board are
available
here and
here. In the coming weeks, BSCC staff will make minor edits,
if necessary, and begin the Administrative Procedures Act process
with the Office of Administrative Law, including publication in
the California Notice Register. The public will have 45 days for
additional public comment before the regulations become
final.
