California Prisons Propose New Food Purchase Restrictions

New regulations would prohibit commissary food purchases for incarcerated people in specific disciplinary groups.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Nutrition

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stark architectural corridor, evoking the austerity of prison policy constraints. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has proposed new rules limiting commissary food and communication access for inmates in disciplinary status. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should prisons be allowed to restrict food access as a disciplinary measure for incarcerated individuals?

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has proposed a rule change that would restrict commissary food purchases for residents in privilege groups C and D. These disciplinary groups would also face suspensions of tablet messaging, phone calls, and entertainment services under the new regulation.

Why it matters

The department proposed these measures as a strategy to deter violent behavior within state correctional facilities. The rules would apply to those in temporary disciplinary assignments and solitary confinement.

Current regulations cap commissary spending for residents in groups C and D at $75, significantly lower than the $300 limit for the general population. The new proposal would eliminate food purchases entirely for these groups, restricting them to hygiene items.

The players

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

This is the state agency responsible for the operation of California's adult correctional system and state prisons.

Giovanni Gladden

A 60-year-old resident who has been incarcerated for 22 years.

Jessie Milo

A 46-year-old resident who has spent seven years in solitary confinement.

Kevin Fuqua

A 60-year-old resident who has been incarcerated for 39 years.

The details

The restrictions apply to residents in privilege group C, a disciplinary assignment for general population members, and group D, which includes individuals in solitary confinement. These changes follow a broader 2025 effort by the CDCR to modify program status in medium and maximum security facilities to address violence.

In 2025, the CDCR modified program status for various security facilities.
In October 2026, the CDCR formally proposed the new disciplinary regulations.

Health Landscape

The proposed rule change amends the established standards defined in Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations. This marks a shift in how the state manages disciplinary protocols for residents in high-security or restrictive housing units.

The proposed regulations would remove access to purchased food items for individuals assigned to groups C and D. This change could impact the daily nutritional intake and communication access of residents within the affected correctional facilities.

The takeaway

These proposed changes highlight the evolving nature of disciplinary procedures within California's correctional system. The restrictions reflect an ongoing attempt by state officials to mitigate violence by limiting access to commissary goods and digital services.