Section 5010 Of Chapter 1. The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation From California Penal Code >> Title 7. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1.
5010
. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
predominant purpose of exercise in correctional facilities should be
for the maintenance of the general health and welfare of inmates and
that exercise equipment and programs in correctional facilities
should be consistent with this purpose.
The Legislature further finds and declares that in some cases it
may be beneficial to provide access to weights for therapeutic or
rehabilitative reasons under a doctor's order or for certain
vocational activities such as firefighting.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that both the Department
of Corrections and the Department of the Youth Authority eliminate or
restrict access to weights and weight lifting equipment where it is
determined that the particular type of equipment involved or the
particular prison population or inmate involved poses a safety
concern both in the correctional facility and to the public upon
release. In those instances where inmates are allowed access to
weights and weight lifting equipment, access shall be a privilege.
As a condition of inmate access to weights and weight lifting
equipment, the departments may require inmates to participate in
training in the proper use of weights and weight lifting equipment
that emphasizes departmental rules and safety practices that must be
observed when using weights and weight lifting equipment.
The directors of the departments, or their respective designees,
may restrict individual or group access to weights and weight lifting
equipment as deemed necessary for the orderly operation of the
correctional facility.
(c) On or before July 1, 1995, both the Department of Corrections
and the Department of the Youth Authority shall adopt regulations
governing inmate access to weight lifting and weight training
equipment in state prison and California Youth Authority facilities,
respectively. In developing these regulations, the departments shall
consider each of the following:
(1) Some prisoners may utilize weight equipment to develop
strength and increase body mass and size rather than for the
maintenance of general health. This use of weight equipment may
create a risk of harm to other inmates, correctional officers, and
staff and, upon release, to law enforcement officers and the general
public.
(2) The improper use of weights and weight lifting equipment may
result in injuries that require costly medical attention.
(3) Access to weights and weight lifting equipment by inmates may
result in the use of the equipment by inmates to attack other inmates
or correctional officers.