(a) The Office of the Sexual Abuse in Detention Elimination Ombudsperson is hereby created in state government to ensure the impartial resolution of inmate and ward sexual abuse complaints. The office shall be based within the Office of the Inspector General. The duties of this office may be contracted to outside nongovernmental experts.
(b) The ombudsperson shall have the authority to inspect all of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation institutions and to interview all inmates and wards.
(c) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall allow all inmates and wards to write confidential letters regarding sexual abuse to the ombudsperson.
(d) Information about how to confidentially contact the ombudsperson shall be clearly posted in all of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation institutions.
(e) The Office of the Inspector General shall investigate reports of the mishandling of incidents of sexual abuse, while maintaining the confidentiality of the victims of sexual abuse, if requested by the victim.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 303, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2006.)