1. (a) Youth Offender Fire Camp Program (YOFCP)

   1. (1) The YOFCP is a voluntary program for youth offenders (YO) under 26 years of age who meet the following criteria:

      1. (A) A placement score of 19-35 (Level II) and a Violence (VIO) Administrative Determinant (AD).
      2. (B) A placement score of 36-59 (Level III), with or without a VIO AD.
   2. (2) The Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) shall determine the locations of the youth offender fire camps. Locations shall be based on the ease and ability of the camp to provide youth offender participants access to rehabilitative programs.

2. (b) Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Criteria

   1. (1) The Youth Offender shall meet the following criteria:

      1. (A) Voluntarily agree to participate in the YOFCP.
      2. (B) The YO shall be under 26 years of age at the time of the Unit Classification Committee (UCC) review.
      3. (C) Eight years or less remaining to serve on their sentence.
      4. (D) A placement score of 59 or below.
      5. (E) Have a minimum of 12-months of incarceration history or a cumulative history of housing in the Youth Offender Rehabilitative Community (YORC), or Non-Designated Programming Facility (NDPF), or Youth Offender Program (YOP). Placement in the Restrictive Housing Unit for non-disciplinary reasons, shall count towards the 12-month cumulative history.
      6. (F) Possess a High School Diploma (HSD) or High School Equivalency (HSE) certificate. If the YO does not possess a HSD or HSE certificate, participation in a HSD or General Education Development course while serving in the YOFCP is mandatory.

3. (c) Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Exclusionary Factors

   1. (1) The YO shall not be approved to participate in the YOFCP if any of the following factors exist:

      1. (A) Age 26 or older at the time of the UCC review.
      2. (B) Placement score of 60 or above.
      3. (C) More than 8 years remaining to serve on their sentence at the time of UCC.
      4. (D) Serving a sentence of life with or without the possibility of parole or a condemned sentence.
      5. (E) A guilty finding, pending or postponed Serious Rule Violation Report for a Division A1, A2 or B offense within the past 12 months of the UCC review.
      6. (F) Deemed a program failure, as defined in section 3000, and placed on Work Group (WG) C by a classification committee within the past 12 months of the UCC review.
      7. (G) History of escape or attempted escape as defined in section 3000, from any correctional facilities, including non-secure correctional facilities.
      8. (H) AD or pending AD review pursuant to subsections 3375.2(b)(2), (b)(7), (b)(9), (b)(11), (b)(12), (b)(13), (b)(17), (b)(21), or (b)(22).

4. (d) Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Classification Committee Process

   1. (1) During the YO annual UCC, the UCC shall determine whether the YO meets YOFCP placement pursuant to subsections 3040.5(b) and 3040.5(c). UCC's YOFCP determination shall be articulated on the automated Classification Committee Chrono (Rev. 03/26), which is incorporated by reference. If determined eligible for YOFCP, UCC shall refer the YO to a Classification Staff Representative (CSR) for endorsement to a designated YOFCP, pursuant to subsection 3040.5(a)(2), and request the AGE AD pursuant to subsection 3375.2(b)(1).
   2. (2) Upon being transferred to a designated YOFCP, the YO shall be reviewed by Institution Classification Committee (ICC) for YOFCP placement pursuant to subsections 3040.5(b) and 3040.5(c). If deemed eligible for YOFCP placement, ICC shall grant the YO minimum custody and refer the YO to the institutional Classification and Parole Representative (C&PR) for a CAM AD pursuant to subsection 3375.2(b)(4). ICC's YOFCP determination shall be articulated on the automated Classification Committee Chrono (Rev.03/26).

   3. (3) If the YO has an imposed VIO AD pursuant to subsection 3375.2(b)(28), the circumstances of the convicted offense that resulted in the VIO AD shall be reviewed by both UCC and ICC, to determine whether the circumstances of the offense that resulted in the VIO AD are commensurate with a minimum supervised custodial setting. In reviewing the circumstances, the classification committee shall take into consideration:

      1. (A) Extent of any injury to the victim(s).
      2. (B) Safety of the public, staff, and incarcerated persons if housed in a minimum supervised custodial setting.

5. (e) Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Placement

   1. (1) Upon being granted minimum custody by the ICC the YO shall successfully complete the requisite physical fitness training and firefighting training, pursuant to subsections 3044(b)(7)(A) and 3044(b)(7)(B).
   2. (2) Upon successful completion of the requisite physical fitness and firefighting training, the YO shall be assigned to YOFCP and WG F Good Conduct Credit pursuant to subsections 3043.2(b)(4)(B), 3043.2(b)(4)(C), 3043.2(b)(5)(A) through 3043.2(b)(5)(D).
   3. (3) Notwithstanding subsection 3375.2(b)(28)(J)(8.), the YO with a VIO AD shall have their VIO AD automatically removed after the YO has reached 26 years of age with a minimum cumulative period of twelve months assigned to YOFCP and WG F, and during the YO's annual UCC.

6. (f) Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Removal

   1. (1) The YO shall be removed from the program if any of the following factors exist:

      1. (A) The YO no longer wants or fails to participate in the YOFCP.
      2. (B) The YO has a placement score of 60 or above.
      3. (C) The YO has a guilty finding, pending or postponed Serious Rule Violation Report for a Division A1, A2 or B offense.
      4. (D) When a classification committee determines the YO is a program failure, as defined in section 3000, and is placed on WG C.
      5. (E) When a classification committee determines the YO is assigned to another WG pursuant to subsection 3044(b)(7)(C).
   2. (2) If the YO is removed from the YOFCP pursuant to (A)-(E) of this subsection, the YO shall be re-assigned to appropriate custody, WG, and housing commensurate with placement score and case factor(s).

7. (g) Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor

   1. (1) The incarcerated person shall complete the following to become a Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor (CYOPPM):

      1. (A) Peer mentor curriculum, as assigned by Every Student Succeeds Act teacher, or designee.
      2. (B) Completion of a 500-hour peer mentorship training in social behavior, emotional intelligence and self-regulation, positive decision-making, and rehabilitation through sustained relationships.
   2. (2) A YO 25 years of age or older may participate in the CYOPPM curriculum and mentorship.

8. (h) Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Additional Criteria

   1. (1) The CYOPPM shall complete the following criteria in addition to the mandatory requirements in section 3040.5(g):

      1. (A) Volunteer for YOFCP.
      2. (B) Age 26 or older at the time of the UCC.
      3. (C) Placement score of 35 or below, with a VIO AD.
      4. (D) Eight or less years remaining to serve on their sentence.
      5. (E) Have a minimum of 12-months of incarceration history or a cumulative history of housing in the YORC, or NDPF, or YOP, or YOFCP. Placement in the Restricted Housing Unit for Non-disciplinary reasons shall count towards the 12-month cumulative history.

9. (i) Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Exclusionary Criteria

   1. (1) The CYOPPM shall not participate in the YOFCP if any of the following factors exist:

      1. (A) Under age 26 at the time of the UCC review.
      2. (B) Placement score of 36 or above.
      3. (C) Serving a sentence of life with or without the possibility of parole or a condemned sentence.
      4. (D) A guilty finding, pending or postponed Serious Rule Violation Report for a Division A1, A2 or B offense in the past 12 months of the UCC.
      5. (E) Deemed a program failure, as defined in section 3000, and placed on WG C by a classification committee in the past 12 months of the UCC.
      6. (F) A history of escape or attempted escape as defined in section 3000, from any correctional facilities, including non-secure correctional facilities.
      7. (G) AD or pending AD review pursuant to subsections 3375.2(b)(2), (b)(7), (b)(9), (b)(11), (b)(12), (b)(13), (b)(17), (b)(21), or (b)(22).

10. (j) Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor Youth Offender Classification Committee

    1. (1) During the CYOPPM's annual UCC, the UCC shall determine whether the CYOPPM meets YOFCP placement pursuant to subsections 3040.5(h) and 3040.5(i). UCC's YOFCP determination shall be articulated on the automated Classification Committee Chrono (Rev. 03/26). If determined eligible for YOFCP, UCC shall refer the CYOPPM to a CSR for endorsement to a designated YOFCP and request the YOC AD pursuant to subsection 3375.2(b)(31).
    2. (2) Upon being transferred to a designated institution, the CYOPPM shall be reviewed by ICC for YOFCP placement pursuant to subsection 3040.5(h) and 3040.5(i). If deemed eligible for YOFCP placement, ICC shall grant the CYOPPM minimum custody and refer the CYOPPM to the institutional Classification and Parole Representative (C&PR) for a CAM AD pursuant to subsection 3375.2(b)(4). ICC's YOFCP determination shall be articulated on the automated Classification Committee Chrono (Rev. 03/26).

    3. (3) If the CYOPPM has an imposed VIO AD pursuant to subsection 3375.2(b)(28), the circumstance of the convicted offense that resulted in the VIO AD shall be reviewed by both UCC and ICC, to determine whether the circumstances of the offense that resulted in the VIO AD are commensurate with a minimum supervised custodial setting. In reviewing the circumstances, the classification committee shall take into consideration:

       1. (A) Extent of any injury to the victim(s).
       2. (B) Safety of the public, staff, and incarcerated persons if housed in a minimum supervised custodial setting.

11. (k) Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Placement

    1. (1) Upon being granted Minimum Custody by the ICC, the CYOPPM shall successfully complete the requisite physical fitness training and firefighting training, pursuant to subsections 3044(b)(7)(A) and 3044(b)(7)(B).
    2. (2) The CYOPPM may also participate at YOFCP as a non-firefighter pursuant to subsection 3044(b)(7)(B).
    3. (3) Upon successful completion of the requisite physical fitness and firefighting training, the CYOPPM shall be assigned to YOFCP and WG F Good Conduct Credit pursuant to subsections 3043.2(b)(4)(B), 3043.2(b)(4)(C), 3043.2(b)(5)(A) through 3043.2(b)(5)(D).

12. (l) Certified Youth Offender Program Peer Mentor Youth Offender Fire Camp Program Removal

    1. (1) The CYOPPM shall be removed from the program if any of the following factors exist:

       1. (A) No longer wants or fails to participate in the YOFCP.
       2. (B) A placement score of 36 or above.
       3. (C) A guilty finding, pending or postponed Serious Rule Violation Report for a Division A1, A2 or B offense.
       4. (D) When a classification committee determines the certified CYOPPM is a program failure, as defined in section 3000, and is placed on WG C.
       5. (E) When a classification committee determines the CYOPPM is assigned to another work group pursuant to subsection 3044(b)(7)(C).
    2. (2) If the CYOPPM is removed from the YOFCP pursuant to (A)-(E) of this subsection, the CYOPPM shall be re-assigned to an appropriate custody, WG, and housing commensurate with placement score and case factor(s).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 2905 and 5058.3, Penal Code. Reference: Section 5054, Penal Code.

History

1. New section filed 9-9-2025 as an emergency; operative 9-9-2025 (Register 2025, No. 37). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3 a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 2-16-2026 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. New section refiled 2-2-2026 as an emergency, including amendment of subsection (k)(3); operative 2-17-2026 (Register 2026, No. 6). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-27-2026 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

3. Certificate of Compliance as to 2-2-2026 order, including amendment of subsections (b)(1)(F), (d)(1)-(2), (h)(1)(E), (j)(1)-(2), (j)(3)(A) and (k)(1), transmitted to OAL 2-3-2026 and filed 3-17-2026; amendments effective 3-17-2026 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2026, No. 12).