SECTIONS 4951-4958 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 4951-4958

4951. In enacting this chapter, it is the purpose of the
Legislature to declare the existence of a California Conservation
Camp program to provide for the training and use of the inmates and
wards assigned to conservation camps in the furtherance of public
conservation.
It is the policy of this state to require the inmates and wards
assigned to such camps to perform public conservation projects
including, but not limited to, forest fire prevention and control,
forest and watershed management, recreation, fish and game
management, soil conservation and forest and watershed revegetation.
In order to effect the maximum possible conservation and
development of natural resources for the benefit of the people of
this state, whenever reasonably possible, conservation projects of a
multiple purpose nature shall be undertaken by the California
Conservation Camps. The various agencies concerned with conservation
projects shall consult and advise with each other to promote these
multiple-purpose conservation projects and in order to achieve this
goal may enter into such contracts as may be necessary.

4952. As used in this chapter "California Conservation Camps" or
"camps" means any camps now or hereafter established, as provided by
law, for the purpose of receiving prisoners committed to the custody
of the Director of Corrections and wards committed to the Director of
the Youth Authority, and in which the work projects performed by the
inmates or wards are supervised by employees of the department.

4953. (a) The department shall utilize inmates and wards assigned
to conservation camps in performing fire prevention, fire control,
and other work of the department. At times it deems proper and on
terms it deems wise, the department may enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements with a public agency, local, state, or
federal, or with a qualified nonprofit organization that has a
demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and complete a conservation
project and meets other criteria, as determined by the department,
for the performance of other conservation projects that are
appropriate for those public agencies or that nonprofit organization
under policies that shall be established by the Prison Industry
Authority. The charge for the service shall be determined by the
director. All these contracts are subject to the approval of the
director and the Director of General Services.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "nonprofit organization"
means any California corporation exempt from taxation under Section
501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(5) of the federal Internal Revenue
Code.

4956. The conditions of work to be performed under such contracts
or agreements shall be consistent with the requirements, as
determined by the Director of Corrections and the Director of the
Youth Authority, for maintaining control of inmates or wards
committed to their respective custody.

4957. Conservation camp inmates and wards may be utilized in the
rescue of lost or injured persons, the saving of life, and the
protection of property. The department may cooperate with local
agencies of government to accomplish these purposes.
The department may also, upon the request of the appropriate local
agency, utilize conservation camp inmates and wards in the
performance of watershed revegetation and related work necessary to
prevent flood damage to land resulting from the destruction of
vegetation by fire.

4958. Conservation camp inmates and wards may, upon the request of
the appropriate public agency, be utilized in the performance of
preventive maintenance or reconstruction of levees or of any other
work necessary to prevent flood damage to land resulting from levee
breaks or overflows.