Chapter 9. Conservation Centers of California Penal Code >> Title 7. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 9.

There are hereby established, under the jurisdiction of the Director of Corrections, the Sierra Conservation Center, the North Coast Conservation Center and the Southern Conservation Center, hereafter referred to collectively as the "conservation centers."

The primary purpose of the conservation centers shall be the receiving, employment, care, custody and education of inmates in the custody of the Director of Corrections assigned thereto.

Work of inmates assigned to the conservation centers may be performed at the conservation centers or branches thereof or in or from permanent, temporary, and mobile camps established pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 2780) of Chapter 5 of Title 1 of Part 3. The provisions of Sections 2780.1 to 2786, inclusive, and Sections 2788 to 2791, inclusive, are applicable to camps established pursuant to this article as well as those established pursuant to that Article 5. The Director of Corrections may, at such times as the director deems proper and on such terms as the director deems wise, enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with any public agency, local, state, or federal, for the performance of other conservation projects which are appropriate for the public agencies under policies which shall be established by the Prison Industry Authority. Inmates and wards may be assigned to perform public conservation projects, including, but not limited to, forest fire prevention and control, forest and watershed management, recreational area development, fish and game management, soil conservation, and forest watershed revegetation. No productive industrial enterprise subject to the jurisdiction of the Prison Industry Authority shall be established at any center or branch thereof or camp established pursuant to this chapter except in compliance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 5085) of Title 7 of Part 3.

The Director of Corrections shall, in accordance with law, construct and provide equipment for suitable buildings, structures, and facilities for the conservation centers, branches thereof, and permanent, temporary, and mobile camps operated therefrom. The director may, as necessary, lease equipment needed for the operation of mobile camps. The Sierra Conservation Center shall be located in the Tuolumne area of California. The North Coast Conservation Center shall be located in the North Coast area of California. The Southern Conservation Center shall be located on the grounds of the California Institution for Men at Chino. The director may establish such branches of the conservation centers as may be necessary.

The Director of Corrections shall make rules and regulations for the government of the conservation centers in the management of their affairs.

Each conservation center shall be headed by a warden, appointed pursuant to Section 6050, and the Director of Corrections shall appoint, subject to civil service, other officers and employees as may be necessary.

The supervision, management, and control of the conservation centers and the responsibility for the care, custody, treatment, training, discipline, and employment of persons confined therein or in branches thereof or in permanent, temporary, and mobile camps operating therefrom are vested in the Director of Corrections.

The provisions of Part 3 (commencing with Section 2000), insofar as applicable, apply to the conservation centers and branches thereof and any permanent, temporary, and mobile camps operating therefrom and to the persons confined therein.

Any persons under the custody of the Director of Corrections may be transferred to the conservation centers in accordance with law.