California Code of Regulations
Title 15 - Crime Prevention and Corrections
Division 3 - Adult Institutions, Programs and Parole
Chapter 1 - Rules and Regulations of Adult Operations and Programs
Subchapter 3 - Incarcerated Person Activities
Article 2 - Recreational and Physical Education Programs
Section 3220.4 - Movies or Videos for Incarcerated Person Viewing

(a) Only movies or videos approved by the institution head or their designee (reviewer) may be scheduled for viewing by incarcerated persons.

(b) Only those movies or videos which have been given a rating of "G," "PG," or "PG-13" by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) or that have been placed on the department's discretionary showing list may be considered for viewing. Movies or videos which have been given a rating of other than "G," "PG," or "PG-13" by the Motion Picture Association of America shall not be approved for general incarcerated person viewing. Regardless of their rating or listing, movies or videos which, in the opinion of the reviewer, glorify violence or sex, or are inflammatory to the climate of the facility shall not be shown.

(c) The selection or exclusion of a movie or video by a facility may be challenged by members of the public by writing to the director, grieved by incarcerated persons by following the administrative remedies procedures as stated in section 3480 et seq., and grieved by staff by pursuing grievance procedures in accordance with their collective bargaining unit's contract or memorandum of understanding.

(d) At the discretion of the director, a movie or video review shall be done by the movie review committee, composed of staff named by the director. Movies may be submitted for consideration as follows:

(e) The committee may determine a movie or video to be unacceptable for incarcerated person viewing, acceptable for general incarcerated person viewing, or acceptable for specified limited incarcerated person viewing purposes.

(f) The committee will place movies or videos on a statewide "discretionary showing list" under the category of "approved for all purposes," or under the category of "approved for specified limited incarcerated person viewing purposes" (specifying the limited or special purpose for which the movie is being approved), or under the category of "unacceptable for incarcerated person viewing." A movie or video's placement on the list as approved will not require that it be shown by a facility.