Work of inmates assigned to the conservation centers may be performed at the conservation centers or branches thereof or in or from permanent, temporary, and mobile camps established pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 2780) of Chapter 5 of Title 1 of Part 3. The provisions of Sections 2780.1 to 2786, inclusive, and Sections 2788 to 2791, inclusive, are applicable to camps established pursuant to this article as well as those established pursuant to that Article 5. The Director of Corrections may, at such times as the director deems proper and on such terms as the director deems wise, enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with any public agency, local, state, or federal, for the performance of other conservation projects which are appropriate for the public agencies under policies which shall be established by the Prison Industry Authority.

Inmates and wards may be assigned to perform public conservation projects, including, but not limited to, forest fire prevention and control, forest and watershed management, recreational area development, fish and game management, soil conservation, and forest watershed revegetation.

No productive industrial enterprise subject to the jurisdiction of the Prison Industry Authority shall be established at any center or branch thereof or camp established pursuant to this chapter except in compliance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 5085) of Title 7 of Part 3.

(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 732, Sec. 1.)