AB 857: Vocational services: formerly incarcerated persons.

Existing law establishes the Department of Rehabilitation to provide specified services to eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Existing law defines vocational rehabilitation services for these purposes.

Existing law establishes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to operate the state prison and maintain custody and care of persons incarcerated in the state prison as punishment for a crime.

Existing law requires each inmate, upon release, to serve a period of parole. Existing law requires each inmate, upon release, to be paid an allowance by the department. Existing law also requires the department to ensure every eligible inmate released from prison receives a valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

This bill would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide each inmate, upon release, informational materials about vocational rehabilitation services and independent living programs offered by the Department of Rehabilitation, as specified, and an enrollment form for vocational rehabilitation services. The bill would also expand the scope of vocational rehabilitation services offered by the Department of Rehabilitation to include service provided to former inmates with disabilities.