(a) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is hereby authorized to create the Parole Violation Intermediate Sanctions (PVIS) program. The purpose of the program shall be to improve the rehabilitation of parolees, reduce recidivism, reduce prison overcrowding, and improve public safety through the use of intermediate sanctions for offenders who violate parole. The PVIS program will allow the department to provide parole agents an early opportunity to intervene with parolees who are not in compliance with the conditions of parole and facing return to prison. The program will include key components used by drug and collaborative courts under a highly structured model, including close supervision and monitoring by a hearing officer, dedicated calendars, nonadversarial proceedings, frequent appearances before the hearing officer, utilization of incentives and sanctions, frequent drug and alcohol testing, immediate entry into treatment and rehabilitation programs, and close collaboration between the program, parole, and treatment to improve offender outcomes. The program shall be local and community based. (b) As used in this section: (1) âDepartmentâ means the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (2) âParole authorityâ means the Board of Parole Hearings. (3) âProgramâ means the Parole Violation Intermediate Sanctions program. (c) (1) A parolee who is deemed eligible by the department to participate in this program, and who would otherwise be referred to the parole authority to have his or her parole revoked for a parole violation shall be referred by his or her parole officer for participation in the program in lieu of parole revocation. (2) If the alleged violation of parole involves the commission of a serious felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7, or a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, or involves the control or use of a firearm, the parolee shall not be eligible for referral to the program in lieu of revocation of parole. (d) The department is authorized to establish local PVIS programs. Each local program may have, but shall not be limited to, the following characteristics: (1) An assigned hearing officer who is a retired superior court judge or commissioner and who is experienced in using the drug court model and collaborative court model. (2) The use of a dedicated calendar. (3) Close coordination between the hearing officer, department, counsel, community treatment and rehabilitation programs participating in the program and adherence to a team approach in working with parolees. (4) Enhanced accountability through the use of frequent program appearances by parolees in the program, at least one per month, with more frequent appearances in the time period immediately following the initial referral to the program and thereafter in the discretion of the hearing officer. (5) Reviews of progress by the parolee as to his or her treatment and rehabilitation plan and abstinence from the use of drugs and alcohol through progress reports provided by the parole agent as well as all treatment and rehabilitation providers. (6) Mandatory frequent drug and alcohol testing. (7) Graduated in-custody sanctions may be imposed after a hearing in which it is found the parolee failed treatment and rehabilitation programs or continued in the use of drugs or alcohol while in the program. (8) A problemsolving focus and team approach to decisionmaking. (9) Direct interaction between the parolee and the hearing officer. (10) Accessibility of the hearing officer to parole agents and parole employees as well as treatment and rehabilitation providers. (e) Upon successful completion of the program, the parolee shall continue on parole, or be granted other relief as shall be determined in the sole discretion of the department or as authorized by law. (f) The department is authorized to develop the programs. The parole authority is directed to convene in each county where the pro
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