California Code, Penal Code - PEN § 5056

(a) Each state prison under the jurisdiction of the department shall have a citizens' advisory committee except that one committee may serve every prison located in the same city or community.  Each committee shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the institution's warden, nine of whom shall be appointed from a list of nominations submitted to him or her as follows:

(b) Where a citizens' advisory committee serves more than one prison, the warden of each prison served by this committee shall collaborate with every other warden of a prison served by the committee for the purpose of appointing committee members.

(c) Each committee shall select its own chairperson by a majority vote of its members.  The term of office of all members shall be two years.  In the event of a vacancy due to resignation, death, or absence from three consecutive meetings, the appointing power shall fill the vacancy following receipt of written notification that a vacancy has occurred.

(d) Each committee shall meet at least once every two months or as often, on the call of the chairperson, as necessary to carry out the purposes and duties of the committee.  Meetings of the committee shall be open to the public.  The warden of each institution shall meet with the committee at least four times each year.

The advisory committees of the several institutions shall have the power of visitation of prison facilities and personnel in furtherance of the goals of this section.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the disclosure by the department of information which may threaten the security of an institution or the safety of the surrounding community, nor shall the power of visitation specified in subdivision (d) extend to situations where institutional security would be jeopardized.