Policy Change
Where Do CDCR Policies Come From?
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) operates under a web of laws, internal regulations, and administrative procedures. Understanding where these policies come from is key to challenging them.
Title 15 (California Code of Regulations)
Many of CDCR’s day-to-day rules are governed by Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations. This includes policies on visitation procedures, disciplinary actions, what personal items incarcerated people are allowed to possess, and more. These regulations are proposed and updated by CDCR itself and must adhere to existing law. There is a public comment process for changes to Title 15, but input is often minimized.
Penal Code & State Law
CDCR also follows state laws passed by the California Legislature, especially the Penal Code. These laws can affect things like sentencing, parole eligibility, and credit-earning opportunities for incarcerated people. Public comments significantly shape the legislative process.
Internal Departmental Policies
CDCR also creates internal policies through memos, directives, and the Department Operations Manual (DOM). These documents often shape how prisons are run, including security procedures, search practices, and more, with little to no public input.
What is the Difference Between Title 15 and DOM?
While Title 15 creates enforceable rights and rules, the DOM explains how those rules are carried out.
You can use both to hold CDCR accountable- Title 15 to argue what CDCR must do, and the DOM to show how they say they’ll do it.
How Can I be a Part of the Process?
When CDCR wants to change its policies covered by Title 15- such as certain rules around visitation, discipline, or credit-earning- it must propose those changes through an official rulemaking process called the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
As part of that process, the public is given a limited window of time (usually 45 days) to submit written comments responding to the proposed changes.
These public comments become part of the official record and are reviewed, summarized, and responded to as part of the Final Statement of Reasons for a particular item.
Anyone is able to submit public comment. Your experiences and insights are critical for shaping fair and effective policies.
How to Submit a Public Comment on CDCR’s Proposed Regulation Changes
📬 By Email:
Send your written comments via email to: RPMB@cdcr.ca.gov
📪By Mail:
Address your letter to:
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Regulation and Policy Management Branch (RPMB)
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283-0001
Be sure to include the regulation’s NCR number (example- “NCR 25-06”) and submit your comment before the deadline listed in the official notice.
🗓️ Public Hearings
CDCR often holds public hearings where you can speak about the proposed changes. These hearings are announced in the official Notice of Change and are open to the public.
🔍 Where to Find Notices and Deadlines
All current proposals, deadlines, and hearing dates are posted within each official notice on CDCR’s Pending Changes to Department Regulations page (linked above).