Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15 § 3190 : Crime Prevention and Corrections — Adult Institutions, Programs and Parole — Rules and Regulations of Adult Operations and Programs — Inmate Resources — Personal Property and Religious Personal Property — General Policy

(a) Inmates shall be permitted to possess in their quarters/living area, state-issued property items, and authorized personal/religious property items based upon privileges in section 3044 and/or assigned security level and/or institution mission, and subject to disciplinary provisions in sections 3314 and 3315.
(b) Specific items of personal property shall be established by a consensus of individual facilities within the Division of Adult Institutions. An Authorized Personal Property Schedule, identifying a list of allowable property, not including religious property, shall be developed and updated no more frequently than twice yearly. Local facility exemptions to the property lists shall also be identified. All changes to the Authorized Personal Property Schedule shall be adopted in accordance with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code sections 11340 through 11350.3) and, if applicable, Penal Code section 5058.3.

The following five property lists are incorporated by reference:

(1) Authorized Personal Property Schedule--Reception Center Male Inmates (Rev. 12/20/21). This personal property schedule applies to all facilities which operate Male Reception Center Housing.
(2) Authorized Personal Property Schedule--General Population Levels I, II, and III, Male Inmates (Rev. 12/20/21). This personal property schedule applies to all facilities which operate Levels I, II, III Male Inmate Housing.
(3) Authorized Personal Property Schedule--Level IV Male Inmates (Rev. 12/20/21). This personal property schedule applies to all facilities which operate Level IV Male Inmate Housing.
(4) Authorized Personal Property Schedule--Administrative Segregation Units (ASU), Security Housing Units (SHU), or Psychiatric Services Units (PSU) Male Inmates (Rev. 12/20/21). This personal property schedule applies to all facilities which operate ASU, SHU, or PSU Male Inmate Housing.
(5) Authorized Personal Property Schedule--Female Inmates (Rev. 12/20/21). This personal property schedule applies to all facilities which operate Female Inmate Housing.
(c) The Religious Personal Property Matrix (RPPM) (Revised 1/1/23) identifies a separate list of allowable personal religious property, and is incorporated by reference. The RPPM shall be developed and updated by the Statewide Religious Review Committee (SRRC) no more frequently than twice yearly. Local exceptions to the RPPM shall also be identified.
(1) Inmate requests for additional religious personal property items to be added to the RPPM shall be submitted to the local Religious Review Committee (RRC) on a CDCR Form 2279 (Rev. 10/21), Religious Personal Property Matrix (RPPM) Request for Additional Item, which is incorporated by reference. The local RRC shall review the request and forward the CDCR Form 2279 with a recommendation to the SRRC for review and decision.
(2) All changes to the RPPM shall be adopted in accordance with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code sections 11340 through 11350.3) and, if applicable, Penal Code section 5058.3.
(d) The Non Disciplinary Segregation (NDS) Personal Property Matrix (12/30/2013) identifies a separate list of allowable personal property afforded to inmates housed in ASU for non disciplinary reasons as affirmed by a classification committee, and is hereby incorporated by reference. The NDS Personal Property Matrix shall be updated by collaboration of all Division of Adult Institutions mission based programs no more frequently than twice yearly. All changes to the NDS Personal Property Matrix shall be adopted in accordance with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code Sections 11340 through 11350.3) and, if applicable, Penal Code 5058.3.
(e) The Transgender Inmates Authorized Personal Property Schedule (TIAPPS) (4/4/18) identifies a separate list of allowable personal property afforded to transgender inmates and inmates with symptoms of gender dysphoria as identified and documented in SOMS by medical or mental health personnel within a CDCR institution, and is incorporated by reference. The TIAPPS shall be updated through the collaboration of all mission-based programs within the Division of Adult Institutions no more frequently than twice yearly. All changes to the TIAPPS shall be adopted in accordance with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code Sections 11340 through 11350.3) and, if applicable, Penal Code Section 5058.3.

The following two property lists are incorporated by reference:

(1) TIAPPS--Designated Male Institutions (4/4/18). This personal property schedule applies to transgender inmates and inmates having symptoms of gender dysphoria who are housed at male institutions.
(2) TIAPPS--Designated Female Institutions (4/4/18). This personal property schedule applies to transgender inmates and inmates having symptoms of gender dysphoria who are housed at female institutions.
(f) The combined volume of state-issued and allowable personal property items shall not exceed six cubic feet, except as specifically allowed in these regulations.
(g) Upon an inmate's transfer between institutions of the department, the sending institution shall inventory the inmate's property and, pursuant to section 3191 ensure the proper disposition of property not allowed at the receiving institution as a result of privilege group, and/or security level, and/or institution mission changes.
(h) Inmates may acquire authorized inmate packages based upon their privilege group, pursuant to section 3044. Inmate packages shall be ordered by inmates or their correspondents via a departmentally-approved inmate package vendor. All packages shall be shipped to the inmate's institution/facility by the departmentally-approved vendor in a sealed container. Inmate packages, not including special purchases, are limited to a 30-pound maximum weight limit and maximum dimensions of 24" x 24" x 24".
(i) Inmates may possess allowable food and personal care/hygiene items, and personal clothing in their quarters/living areas, subject to section 3190(a), unless otherwise prohibited by these regulations. The total volume of canteen merchandise retained in possession of an inmate shall be pursuant to section 3094. Inmates shall be required to maintain their purchase receipt to verify purchases until such items are expended.
(j) Inmates shall be restricted to only clear (see-through) personal care/hygiene items encased in clear containers or tubing based upon industry availability. An exemption shall be authorized by the institution's health care manager or chief medical officer when an exemption to the clear item and/or clear case requirement is deemed medically necessary by a physician. Such exemption shall not exceed one (1) year. If the condition persists, the inmate shall submit another exemption request.
(k) Inmates shall only be permitted to possess state-issued clothing and authorized personal clothing subject to section 3190(a).
(l) Inmates shall be allowed special purchases of authorized personal property items from either departmentally-approved inmate package vendors, departmentally-approved vendors of religious items, or locally-approved special purchase vendors. The institution head or designated staff shall ensure approved vendor catalogs and order forms are available to inmates who qualify. Special purchases shall only include the following:
(1) Health Care Appliances, subject to prescription by health care staff and approval by designated custody staff, shall be excluded from the six cubic foot limitation of section 3190(c).
(2) Legal Material, including legal reference material, books, and legal pads not available in the institution canteen, pursuant to section 3161. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any legal publications. Inmates may receive legal publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business.
(3) Correspondence Courses, subject to approval by supervisor of correctional education programs and designated custody staff.
(4) Religious Items, as authorized by the Religious Personal Property Matrix. Special purchases of religious items will be from departmentally-approved vendors of religious items only. Departmental approval of vendors of religious items will be at the determination of the Statewide Religious Review Committee (SRRC). Departmental approval of each vendor's religious items offered for sale to be shipped to inmates shall be in accordance with the Religious Personal Property Matrix as determined by the SRRC.
(5) Handicraft Material, subject to approval by handicraft manager and designated custody staff.
(6) Entertainment Appliances, Headphones/Earbuds and Musical Instruments, subject to qualifying privilege group and/or security level/institution mission.
(7) All publications, including books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to section 3006. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any publications. Inmates may receive publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business.
(8) Network capable tablets. Inmates expressly authorized by the Secretary to possess network capable tablets are listed in the Authorized Personal Property Schedules, pursuant to subsections 3190(b)(1)-(5).
(m) Inmates may be allowed to possess appliances and one musical instrument as follows:
(1) Inmates assigned to Privilege Groups A or B may possess up to three approved appliances in their quarters/living area, facility physical plant limitations permitting, and shall not exceed the six cubic feet maximum limitation. One musical instrument with case not exceeding 46? x 24? x 12? may be substituted as one of the three appliances.
(2) Inmates assigned to Privilege Group C may not possess entertainment appliances and/or a musical instrument. Inmates placed on Privilege Group C pursuant to a disciplinary action pursuant to subsections 3314(e)(3), 3315(f)(5)(C), or classification committee action shall have the disallowed property stored at the inmate's institution.

Inmates assigned to Privilege Group C by a classification committee as a result of being deemed a program failure as defined in Section 3000 who receive one or more additional Administrative or Serious Rules Violation Reports shall be required to mail out, return, donate, or dispose of disallowed property in accordance with Subsection 3191(c).

(3) Inmates assigned to Administrative Segregation Unit/Security Housing Unit/Psychiatric Services Unit (ASU/SHU/PSU) or other segregated housing units may possess or acquire one television or one radio or one television/radio combination unit, through the Special Purchase process, facility physical plant limitations permitting, and shall not exceed the six cubic feet maximum limitation. Inmates assigned to ASU are authorized one entertainment appliance. Inmates assigned to SHU/PSU are authorized two entertainment appliances. Eligibility to possess an entertainment appliance commences on the date of Privilege Group D assignment. An inmate who is deemed to be a program failure, as defined in section 3000, based on conduct prior to or while in the ASU/SHU/PSU, or other segregated housing units, shall have his or her entertainment appliance stored by the institution pending removal of program failure designation. Inmates deemed a program failure as defined in Section 3000 who receive one or more additional Administrative or Serious Rules Violation Reports while assigned to program failure status shall be required to mail out, return, donate or dispose of disallowed property in accordance with subsection 3191(c). An inmate who has not been deemed a program failure, but who is found guilty of any Rules Violation Report based on conduct while in the ASU/SHU/PSU or other segregated housing units, is subject to temporary loss of the entertainment appliance as follows:
(1) thirty days for the first offense;
(2) sixty days for the second offense; and
(3) ninety days for the third and subsequent offenses. Inmates assigned to Privilege Group D shall not possess a musical instrument.
(4) Inmates assigned to Privilege Group U shall not possess any appliances or musical instruments.
(5) Inmates housed at conservation camps shall not possess a television or television/radio combination.
(6) An inmate deemed to be a program failure, based on conduct prior to or while in the ASU, SHU, PSU, or other segregated housing units, shall have his or her maximum monthly canteen draw items limited to stationery, stationery supplies, personal hygiene, vitamins and medications. Inmates may maintain their current canteen items; which must be verified with a current receipt. Any subsequent canteen purchases while deemed a program failure shall be limited to stationery, stationery supplies, personal hygiene, vitamins and medication.
(n) All appliances shall be sealed by staff by covering exterior pieces of the appliance that may be used to access the interior of the appliance with hotglue.
(o) Inmates who break or tamper with the seal of an appliance(s) may be subject to disciplinary action and confiscation of the item.
(p) Inmates ordering new or replacement appliances shall be required to purchase clear-case appliances, as they become available.
(q) Inmate correspondents shall be permitted to purchase appliances for qualifying inmates, including health care appliances, and Entertainment Appliances, Headphones/Earbuds and Musical Instruments, from either a departmentally-approved inmate package vendor or a locally-approved special purchase vendor, pursuant to section 3044.
(r) In addition to the six cubic feet limitation of authorized property, inmates who participate in institution academic or Career Technical Educational programs shall be allowed to possess, in their quarters/living area, state provided textbooks/materials necessary to complete their education requirements. In accordance with section 3011, inmates who do not return state textbooks in serviceable condition, may be charged a replacement fee, as determined by the supervisor of correctional education programs.
(s) Inmates may acquire and possess correspondence course materials, including textbooks, in their quarters/living area as approved by the supervisor of correctional education programs and designated custody staff pursuant to limitations in section 3190(b). Correspondence courses requiring tools, construction kits, or other materials that may pose a threat to the institution's security or the safety of persons shall not be allowed.
(t) The amount charged an inmate for a special purchase or inmate package shall include normal taxes and a 10% service charge based upon the purchase price. Service charges shall be deposited in the inmate welfare fund. Exception: The 10% service charge shall not be added to purchases of health care appliances, correspondence courses, nonfiction books, religious items, and legal materials.
(u) Inmates shall be permitted to possess membership cards, identification cards, or service-type cards in addition to those issued by the department in accordance with subsection 3237(c).
(v) All allowable inmate property shall be inventoried, documented, and stored for inmates transferred Out-to-Medical or Out-to-Court, or placed in segregated housing, a Correctional Treatment Center, or an Outpatient Housing Unit, until the inmate returns.
(w) Privilege Group A or B inmates placed in administrative segregation (AD SEG) shall have their property inventoried and stored pending the outcome of Initial Classification Committee review. If the inmate is released to general population and maintains their Privilege Group A or B assignment, all allowable property shall be returned. If the inmate is retained in AD SEG, all allowable property as determined by current departmental regulations shall be reissued to the inmate. If the inmate received a SHU term, the inmate shall be required to dispose of unallowable property due to privilege group and/or security level and/or institution mission change in accordance with section 3191(c).

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 15, § 3190

Note: Authority cited: Sections 5058 and 5058.3, Penal Code. Reference: Sections 2086, 2601, 5006 and 5054, Penal Code; In re Alcala, Marin County Superior Court, No. 117925, December 20, 1984; Armstrong v. Davis Court Ordered Remedial Plan, Amended January 3, 2001; In re Armstrong, N.D. Cal, No. C 94-02307, March 20, 1998; and Quine v. Beard, No. C 14-02726 JST, Rhoades v. Montgomery, No. EHC01917, Taylor v. Hubbard, No. CV-00404-BAM PC, Rouser v. White Settlement Agreement, No. CV-0767-LKK-GGH(PC) and Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 United States Code sections 2000cc et seq.

1. Amendment filed 3-6-85 as an emergency; effective upon filing (Register 85, No. 12). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 7-3-85. For prior history, see Register 84, No. 47.
2. Order of Repeal of 3-6-85 emergency order filed 8-1-85 by OAL pursuant to Government Code Section 11349.6(b) (Register 85, No. 31).
3. Amendment filed 8-2-85 as an emergency; effective upon filing (Register 85, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 12-2-85.
4. Certificate of Compliance transmitted to OAL 12-2-85 and filed 12-23-85 (Register 85, No. 52).
5. Amendment of subsections (a) and (c), new subsection (d), relocation and amendment of former section 3092(a) to section 3190(e), new subsections (e)(1)-(7), relocation and amendment of former section 3092(b) to section 3190(f) and amendment of Note filed 12-30-2003 as an emergency; operative 1-1-2004 (Register 2004, No. 1). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3(a)(1), a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-9-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
6. Withdrawal and repeal of 12-30-2003 amendments filed 5-27-2004 as an emergency; operative 5-27-2004 (Register 2004, No. 22). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 9-24-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
7. Amendment of section and Note, including relocation and amendment of former subsection 3092(a) to section 3190(h), relocation and amendment of former section 3044(g)(4)(G) to section 3190(i)(3) and relocation and amendment of former section 3092(b) to section 3190(p), filed 5-27-2004 as an emergency; operative 5-27-2004 (Register 2004, No. 22). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 11-3-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
8. Certificate of Compliance as to 5-27-2004 order transmitted to OAL 10-28-2004 and filed 12-14-2004 (Register 2004, No. 51).
9. Amendment of section and Note filed 8-13-2007 as an emergency; operative 8-13-2007 (Register 2007, No. 33). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-22-2008 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
10. Amendment of section and Note refiled 1-23-2008 as an emergency; operative 1-23-2008 (Register 2008, No. 4). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-22-2008 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
11. Certificate of Compliance as to 1-23-2008 order, including further amendment of section and Note, transmitted to OAL 4-22-2008 and filed 6-4-2008 (Register 2008, No. 23).
12. Amendment filed 5-12-2009; operative 5-12-2009 (Register 2009, No. 20).
13. Amendment of article heading and subsections (a), (b), (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(5) and (i)(4) filed 2-21-2013 as an emergency; operative 2-21-2013 (Register 2013, No. 8). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-31-2013 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
14. Amendment of article heading and subsections (a), (b), (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(5) and (i)(4) refiled 7-29-2013 as an emergency; operative 7-29-2013 (Register 2013, No. 31). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-28-2013 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
15. New subsection (c) and subsection relettering filed 9-24-2013 as an emergency; operative 9-24-2013 (Register 2013, No. 39). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-3-2014 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
16. Amendment of subsection (p) filed 10-29-2013 as an emergency; operative 10-29-2013 (Register 2013, No. 44). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-7-2014 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
17. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-29-2013 order, including further amendment of article heading and subsections (b) and (j)(4), transmitted to OAL 10-24-2013 and filed 12-9-2013; amendments operative 12-9-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2013, No. 50).
18. Amendment filed 1-8-2014 as an emergency; operative 1-8-2014 (Register 2014, No. 2). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-17-2014 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
19. Certificate of Compliance as to 9-24-2013 order, including amendment of subsection (c), transmitted to OAL 2-20-2014 and filed 3-24-2014; amendments operative 3-24-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 13).
20. Certificate of Compliance as to 10-29-2013 order transmitted to OAL 4-4-2014 and filed 5-14-2014 (Register 2014, No. 20).
21. Certificate of Compliance as to 1-8-2014 order, including further amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(5), (j)(6), (k)(2) and (o), transmitted to OAL 6-16-2014 and filed 7-22-2014; amendments effective 7/22/2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 30).
22. New subsections (d)-(d)(2), subsection relettering and amendment of Note filed 4-17-2017 as an emergency; operative 4-28-2017 (Register 2017, No. 16). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-5-2017 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
23. New subsections (d)-(d)(2), subsection relettering and amendment of Note refiled 10-4-2017 as an emergency; operative 10-6-2017 (Register 2017, No. 40). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-4-2018 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
24. New subsections (d)-(d)(2), subsection relettering and amendment of Note refiled 1-2-2018 as an emergency; operative 1-5-2018 (Register 2018, No. 1). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-5-2018 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
25. Certificate of Compliance as to 1-2-2018 order, including amendment of subsections (d)(1)-(2), transmitted to OAL 4-4-2018 and filed 5-15-2018; amendments operative 5/15/2018 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2018, No. 20).
26. Amendment of subsections (k) and (k)(4) filed 8-13-2018; operative 10/1/2018 (Register 2018, No. 33).
27. Amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(5) and new subsection (k)(8) filed 7-23-2020 as an emergency; operative 7/23/2020 (Register 2020, No. 30). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-30-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
28. Emergency filed 7-23-2020 extended 60 days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 days pursuant to Executive Order N-66-20 (Register 2020, No. 48). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-30-2021 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
29. Amendment of subsections (l)(2)-(l)(3) and new subsection$ (l)(6) filed 2-24-2021; operative 4/1/2021 (Register 2021, No. 9). (Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a)extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20.)
30. Amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(5) and new subsection (k)(8) refiled 4-27-2021 as an emergency; operative 4/30/2021 (Register 2021, No. 18). Emergency expiration extended 60 days (Executive Order N-40-20) plus an additional 60 days (Executive Order N-71-20). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 11-29-2021 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
31. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-27-2021 order, including amendment of subsections (b)-(b)(5) and (k)(8), transmitted to OAL 11-29-2021 and filed 12-20-2021; amendments effective 12/20/2021 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2021, No. 52). Transmission deadline specified in Government Code section 11346.4(b)extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.
32. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 11-22-2022; operative 1/1/2023 (Register 2022, No. 47).