ARTICLE 6. Conduct, Education, and Discipline [1120. - 1125.5.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 6.
in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1120. Section 1120.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to insure an appropriate educational program for wards committed to the Department of the Youth Authority. The objective of the program shall be to improve the academic, vocational, and life survival skills of each ward so as to enable these wards to return to the community as productive citizens. (b) The department shall assess the educational needs of each ward upon commitment and at least annually thereafter until released on parole. The initial assessment shall include a projection of the academic, vocational, and psychological needs of the ward and shall be used both in making a determination as to the appropriate educational program for the ward and as a measure of progress in subsequent assessments of the educational development of the ward. The educational program of the department shall be responsive to the needs of all wards, including those who are educationally handicapped or limited-English-speaking wards. (c) The statewide educational program of the department shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following courses of instruction: (1) Academic preparation in the areas of verbal communication skills, reading, writing, and arithmetic. (2) Vocational preparation including vocational counseling, training in marketable skills, and job placement assistance. (3) Life survival skills, including preparation in the areas of consumer economics, family life, and personal and social adjustment. All of the aforementioned courses of instruction shall be offered at each institution within the jurisdiction of the department except camps and those institutions whose primary function is the initial reception and classification of wards. At such camps and institutions the educational program shall take into consideration the purpose and function of the camp and institutional program.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1120.1. Section 1120.1.

(a) In furtherance of the purpose of the Department of the Youth Authority to protect society from the consequences of criminal activity, the department’s educational programs shall focus on value-based character education, emphasizing curriculum leading to a crime-free lifestyle. In furtherance of this goal, the department shall establish the office of the Superintendent of Education. The Superintendent of Education shall oversee educational programs under the jurisdiction of the department. (b) The department shall ensure that each ward who has not attained a high school diploma or equivalent shall be enrolled in an appropriate educational program as deemed necessary by the department. (c) The department shall develop a high school graduation plan for every ward identified pursuant to subdivision (b).

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1120.2. Section 1120.2.

(a) There is in the Department of the Youth Authority a correctional education authority for the purpose of carrying out the education and training of wards committed to the youth authority. (b) The course of study for wards attending any of grades 7 to 12, inclusive, shall include those courses specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 51220) of Chapter 2 of Part 28 of the Education Code. The course of study shall meet the model curriculum standards adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to Section 51226 of the Education Code. (c) (1) The correctional education authority shall adopt standards of proficiency in basic skills for wards attending a course of study for any of grades 7 to 12, inclusive. (2) Differential standards and assessment procedures may be adopted for wards for whom an individualized education program has been developed and for whom the regular instructional program has been modified or for wards who have been diagnosed with a learning handicap or disability. (d) The correctional education authority may issue diplomas of graduation from high school to wards who have completed the required course of study and meet the standards of proficiency in basic skills adopted by the correctional education authority. The authority may also administer to wards the general educational development tests that have been approved by the State Board of Education. (e) For purposes of receiving federal funds, the correctional education authority shall be deemed a local educational agency. (f) For purposes of receiving state funds pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8 of Article XVI of the California Constitution in accordance with the definitions set forth in Section 41202 of the Education Code, the correctional education authority shall be deemed a state agency and shall only be entitled to state funding for direct instructional services provided to wards attending a course of study. The correctional education authority may not receive state funds unless the funds are specifically appropriated to the Department of the Youth Authority for direct instructional services, and may not receive additional funds from the State Department of Education under any other program.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1120.5. Section 1120.5.

At each institution under this chapter the Youth Authority shall organize and maintain a division of instruction and such other divisions as it deems necessary and advisable in the conduct of the school.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1122. Section 1122.

Such divisions of instruction shall have jurisdiction over all courses of instruction. Such courses shall include academic and vocational training, and shall be subject to the approval of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1123. Section 1123.

Subject to the availability of adequate state funding for these purposes, the Director of the Youth Authority shall provide all wards at each penal institution within the jurisdiction of the department, including camps, with information about behavior that places a person at high risk for contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and about the prevention of transmission of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The director shall provide all wards, who are within one month of release or being placed on parole, with information about agencies and facilities that provide testing, counseling, medical, and support services for AIDS victims. Information about AIDS prevention shall be solicited by the director from the State Department of Health Services, the county health officer, or local agencies providing services to persons with AIDS. The Director of Health Services, or his or her designee, shall approve protocols pertaining to the information to be disseminated, and the training to be provided, under this section.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1124. Section 1124.

Each institution under this chapter may manufacture, repair, and assemble products or may raise produce, for use in the institution or in any other State institution or for sale to or pursuant to contract with the public. The primary purpose of all instruction, discipline and industries shall be to benefit the inmates of the several schools and to qualify them for honorable employment and good citizenship. Moneys received from sales or contracts made or entered into under this section shall be used first to defray the expenses of the industry, including wages paid to the wards working in the industry. The wages shall be set by the director. Moneys in excess of those used to support the industry shall be deposited in the “Benefit Fund” as defined in Section 1752.5.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1125. Section 1125.

Each inmate of an institution under this chapter shall be permitted to keep for his own use all articles of handiwork and other finished products suitable primarily for personal use, as determined by the director, which have been fabricated by the inmate.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 1125.5. Section 1125.5.

When any public road is a principal means of access to the Preston School of Industry the Department of the Youth Authority, with the consent of the Department of Finance, may arrange with the California Highway Commission or the board of supervisors of the county in which the road is located for the employment of the inmates of the school in the improvement or maintenance of the road, under supervision of the officers of the school and without compensation to the inmates so employed.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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