Bill > AB1144

This bill amends California law to provide more flexible employment options for elderly and disabled inmates in state prisons and county jails. Specifically, inmates who are 55 years of age or older, or who have mental or physical disabilities (as defined in the Government Code), will now be able to choose whether to continue working full-time, reduce their work hours, or retire completely. Importantly, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is prohibited from punishing inmates who choose to work less or not at all, which means they cannot face disciplinary actions like changes in security level, involuntary transfers, or reductions in privilege group assignments. This legislation ensures that older and disabled inmates are not forced to work full-time and have more control over their labor, while protecting them from potential retaliatory actions. The bill applies to both state prison inmates and those in county jails, and exempts inmates sentenced to death. By providing these employment options, the bill recognizes the potential physical and mental limitations of older and disabled inmates and seeks to create more humane working conditions within the correctional system.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1144