CA AB2357

Authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to temporarily remove inmates from prison to participate in or assist with gathering evidence relating to crimes, effective until January 1, 2013.

Maintains existing authority to temporarily remove inmates for college classes and medical treatment, with removals limited to 3 days unless for medical treatment.

Exempts removals for medical treatment and evidence-gathering assistance from inmate reimbursement requirements for state expenses; other temporary removals may require inmates to reimburse reasonable expenses.

After January 1, 2013, the evidence-gathering removal authority expires and the statute reverts to its prior form authorizing only college class attendance and medical removals.

Declared an urgency statute effective immediately to enable law enforcement to obtain evidence regarding serious crimes such as murder and kidnapping from incarcerated witnesses.