Cal. PEN § 4503

This is the official text of Cal. PEN § 4503, part of California’s Penal Code — defines crimes and sets criminal procedure in California.

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Official statutory text

Any person confined therein who holds as hostage any person within any prison or facility under the jurisdiction of the Director of Corrections, or who by force or threat of force holds any person or persons against their will in defiance of official orders within any such prison or facility, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned in the state prison for three, five, or seven years to be served consecutively.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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