About the Board of State and Community Corrections

Established in 2012, the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is an independent statutory agency that provides leadership to the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems, expertise on Public Safety Realignment issues, a data and information clearinghouse, and technical assistance on a wide range of community corrections issues. (Penal Code sec. 6024-6025). In addition, the BSCC promulgates regulations for adult and juvenile detention facilities, conducts regular inspections of those facilities, develops standards for the selection and training of local corrections and probation officers, and administers significant public safety-related grant funding.

Public Safety Realignment (AB 109, ch. 15, Stats. 2011) is the 2011 Governor-initiated legislation that keeps non-violent, non-serious, non-sexual offenders in local jails and on probation or in treatment programs instead of sending them to state prisons. The overarching goals of realignment are to protect public safety, reduce recidivism, and improve outcomes for offenders. Studies have shown that offenders kept closer to families and support systems have a better chance of rehabilitation.

The BSCC is charged with developing and maintaining information on Realignment programs and practices so that local entities can access information about promising practices and innovative approaches.

The BSCC also inspects for compliance of standards and directs funding for construction of local adult and juvenile detention facilities and ensures that the local jail projects meet recent Legislative mandates to provide program space to rehabilitate offenders.

The BSCC’s work involves extensive collaboration with stakeholders, including local probation departments, sheriffs, county administrative offices, justice system partners, community-based organizations, and others. The BSCC sets standards and provides training for local adult and juvenile corrections and probation officers. It is also the administering agency for a host of federal and state public safety grants, and it works to address the overrepresentation of youth of color in the juvenile justice system.

Policy for the agency is set by the 15-member Board of State and Community Corrections, whose members are prescribed by statute, appointed by the Governor and the Legislature, and subject to approval by the state Senate. The Board Chair reports directly to the Governor. Composition of the Board

History of the BSCC

The Board of State and Community Corrections was established in statute effective July 1, 2012 to serve as an independent body providing leadership and technical assistance to the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems. A central part of its mission is to oversee public safety realignment goals that keep non-violent, non-serious, non-sexual offenders in local control where support services can help them successfully re-integrate into their communities.

The BSCC’s history dates to 1944 when the Board of Corrections was established as part of Gov. Earl Warren’s system-wide reorganization that improved prison conditions and centralized management. In 2004 the Corrections Standards Authority replaced the BOC within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation following an independent panel’s finding that the prison system suffered from out-of-control costs and the highest recidivism rate in the nation.

The independent BSCC is vested with the CSA’s rights, powers, authorities and duties to set standards for the training of county corrections and probation officers. It also has a new mission to improve public safety through cost-effective, promising and evidence-based strategies and programs that manage and rehabilitate adults and young people.

Statutes relating to authority, programs and mandates are in the California Penal and Welfare and Institutions Codes, with operating regulations in Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations and physical plant regulations in Title 24.

Composition of the Board Pursuant to Penal Code 6025

The Board is composed of 15 members as follows:

The Chair of the Board is a full-time paid position, appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation.
The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The Director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
A county sheriff in charge of a local detention facility which has a BSCC rated capacity of 200 or less inmates, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A county sheriff in charge of a local detention facility which has a BSCC rated capacity of over 200 inmates, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A county supervisor or county administrative officer. This member shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A chief probation officer from a county with a population over 200,000, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A chief probation officer from a county with a population under 200,000, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A judge appointed by the Judicial Council of California.
A chief of police, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A community provider of rehabilitative treatment or services for adult offenders, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
A community provider or advocate with expertise in effective programs, policies, and treatment of at-promise youth and juvenile offenders, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
A public member, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A licensed health care provider, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.
A licensed mental or behavioral health care provider, appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

The Board shall select a vice chairperson from among its members, who shall be either a chief probation officer or a sheriff. Seven (7) members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

The terms of the members appointed by the Governor shall expire as follows: three (3) on July 1, 2014, and four (4) on July 1, 2015, as specified by the Governor. The term of the member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules shall expire on July 1, 2014. The term of the member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly shall expire on July 1, 2015. The term of the member appointed by the Judicial Council shall expire on July 1, 2015. Successor members shall hold office for terms of three years, each term to commence on the expiration date of the predecessor. Any appointment to a vacancy that occurs for any reason other than expiration of the term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members are eligible for reappointment.