California · Penal Code
PEN §4530: (a) Every prisoner confined in a state prison who, by force or violence, escapes or attempts to escape therefrom and every prisoner committed to a state prison who, by force or violence, escapes or at
What this law says, in plain English
A prisoner who escapes or attempts to escape from state prison by force or violence is punishable by 2–6 years imprisonment. Escape without force or violence is punishable by 16 months to 3 years. Willful failure to return from authorized absence is treated as escape under the same penalties.
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