(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the predominant purpose of exercise in correctional facilities should be for the maintenance of the general health and welfare of inmates and that exercise equipment and programs in correctional facilities should be consistent with this purpose.

The Legislature further finds and declares that in some cases it may be beneficial to provide access to weights for therapeutic or rehabilitative reasons under a doctor’s order or for certain vocational activities such as firefighting.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that both the Department of Corrections and the Department of the Youth Authority eliminate or restrict access to weights and weight lifting equipment where it is determined that the particular type of equipment involved or the particular prison population or inmate involved poses a safety concern both in the correctional facility and to the public upon release. In those instances where inmates are allowed access to weights and weight lifting equipment, access shall be a privilege.

As a condition of inmate access to weights and weight lifting equipment, the departments may require inmates to participate in training in the proper use of weights and weight lifting equipment that emphasizes departmental rules and safety practices that must be observed when using weights and weight lifting equipment.

The directors of the departments, or their respective designees, may restrict individual or group access to weights and weight lifting equipment as deemed necessary for the orderly operation of the correctional facility.

(c) On or before July 1, 1995, both the Department of Corrections and the Department of the Youth Authority shall adopt regulations governing inmate access to weight lifting and weight training equipment in state prison and California Youth Authority facilities, respectively. In developing these regulations, the departments shall consider each of the following:

(1) Some prisoners may utilize weight equipment to develop strength and increase body mass and size rather than for the maintenance of general health. This use of weight equipment may create a risk of harm to other inmates, correctional officers, and staff and, upon release, to law enforcement officers and the general public.

(2) The improper use of weights and weight lifting equipment may result in injuries that require costly medical attention.

(3) Access to weights and weight lifting equipment by inmates may result in the use of the equipment by inmates to attack other inmates or correctional officers.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 193, Sec. 148. Effective January 1, 2005.)