10 Famous Prisons in The State of California

What are some of the 10 famous prisons in the state of California? In this article, we have mentioned the 10 famous prisons located in the state of California.

10 Famous Prisons in The State of California
10 Famous Prisons in The State of California

Did you know that California has quite a lot of prisons? It does. The California State Prison is the most extensive prison system in the entire country. With all the crime in California, it's not surprising to see some very famous prisons.

Now, I want to dive into 10 of the most famous California state prisons and give some background on what makes them famous.

Famous Prisons in The State of California

In the state of California, there are several famous prisons. Some of these are famous for their historical value, and some are famous because of the people who were incarcerated there.

The following are some of the most famous prisons in the state of California and how they are run today:

  1. Mule Creek state prison
  2. Ironwood State prison
  3. Wasco State Prison
  4. Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
  5. Calipatria State Prison
  6. Kern Valley State Prison
  7. North Kern State Prison
  8. San Quentin State Prison
  9. Salinas Valley State Prison
  10. Sierra Conservation Center

1. Mule Creek State Prison

Mule Creek State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison in Ione. It is a long-term offender facility and a reentry facility for offenders awaiting release from prison.

In prison, offenders have been conditioned to live in a different environment, so re-entry is intended to prepare them for life outside. Moreover, it gives offenders the skills they need for successful reintegration, which includes finding a job and organizing their time.

Visiting Hours:

8:30 am to 10:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

+1 209-274-4911

Address:

4001 CA-104, Ione, CA 95640, United States

2. Ironwood State Prison

In Blythe, California, you can find Ironwood State Prison. Over 3,280 male inmates are under medium or minimum custody in the facility. A total of five facilities are located within Ironwood, of which four hold medium-security inmates at level III.

The facility houses inmates who need minimum security. The four-level III building houses inmates sentenced to administrative segregation. In addition to providing education and vocational skills for inmates, Ironwood State Prison also confines offenders.

Visiting Hours:

8:30 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

+1 760-921-3000

Address:

19005 Wiley's Well Road, Blythe, CA 92225, United States

3. Wasco State Prison

Wasco State Prison is a prison in Wasco, California. Among its functions, it is an intake facility that categorizes, identifies, and diagnoses inmates.

When the intake process is complete, inmates are assigned to appropriate institutions for their prison sentences. Many inmates incarcerated at Wasco are released after a short time.

Many factors affect how long the reception process takes, but it can take from one week to 90 days. During an inmate evaluation, their mental and physical health and criminal and family histories are examined.

By conducting this evaluation, it is possible to determine if the inmates have security needs or benefits from participating in specific programs. Upon receiving all the necessary information, the staff will decide which type of permanent facility is best for the inmate.

Visiting Hours:

8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

(661) 758-8400

Address:

Wasco State Prison

701 Scofield Avenue

Wasco, CA 93280

4. Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison is based in Blythe, California. The facility houses inmates with minimum to medium levels of security. Inmates currently occupy over 4,000 beds in this facility, initially built for almost 2,000.

While inmates can roam most of the time freely, they are counted during lockdowns and count periods. Those convicted of sex crimes, former members of gangs, and law enforcement are housed in separate units and quarters within the facility.

These populations are held separately for everyone's safety and security, including those on administrative segregation.

Visiting Hours:

8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

(760) 922-5300

Address:

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

19025 Wiley's Well Rd.

Blythe, CA 92225

5. Calipatria State Prison

The Calipatria State Prison holds prisoners of varying levels of custody. Immigration and Naturalization also use this facility to house immigrants who are on the verge of release from detention.

Over 4,100 inmates are housed in the facility, originally designed to hold much fewer. Inmates at Calipatria State Prison have the option of taking vocational courses.

Free classes teach inmates skills they can use after release to make an honest living. There are currently programs in carpentry, electrical, masonry, and consumer electronics repair.

Visiting Hours:

8:30 am to 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

(760) 348-7000

Address:

Calipatria State Prison

7018 Blair Road

Calipatria, CA 92233

6. Kern Valley State Prison

Kern Valley State Prison can be found in Delano, California. A total of 5000 adult inmates are housed here, of which 4600 are classified as level IV high-security. The substance abuse treatment facility at Kern Valley has 500 beds and two administrative segregation units.

A lethal electrified fence separates the low-security inmates from the high-security ones at Kern Valley State Prison. Many prison-related operational support jobs are available to inmates serving time at the minimum support facility. Additionally, the inmates gain new skills during these jobs as they assist with cooking, laundry, administrative tasks, and warehouse duties.

Visiting Hours:

8:30 am to 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

+1 661-721-6300

Address:

3000 W Cecil Ave, Delano, CA 93215, United States

7. North Kern State Prison

The North Kern State Prison serves both to receive inmates, as a medium- to minimal custody facility, and as a transportation hub for inmates traveling around California.

Many inmates across the state are diagnosed and classified at this facility's reception center. As part of the initial processing and classification process, inmates must undergo mental and physical evaluations, which can take up to 90 days.

When the inmate is finished receiving and classifying, they may be transferred to another rehabilitation center.

Visiting Hours:

8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

+1 661-721-2345

Address:

2737 W Cecil Ave, Delano, CA 93215, United States

8. San Quentin State Prison

San Quentin State Prison is the oldest and most well-known penal institution, established at Point San Quentin due to the lawlessness that ravaged California in 1852.

A wide range of mental health services is provided at this facility, including both outpatient and inpatient care. It offers an intensive, comprehensive psychiatric treatment program for outpatient patients who cannot function appropriately.

Visiting Hours:

7:30 am to 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

+1 415-454-1460

Address:

San Quentin, CA 94964, United States

9. Salinas Valley State Prison

Salinas Valley State Prison is situated in Soledad, California. A variety of levels of security are housed and rehabilitated at the facility. Inmates in this correctional facility range from Level I to Level IV, so its capacity has doubled since it was built.

Among the educational and vocational programs at Salinas Valley State Prison is a dairy farm where inmates can work. Prison inmates can take adult basic education classes, GED classes, English second language courses, and reentry programs that help prepare them for release. Studying various vocational courses, such as landscaping, auto body repair, and janitorial work, is possible.

Visiting Hours:

8:30 am to 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Phone:

(831) 678-5500

Address:

Salinas Valley State Prison

31625 Highway 101

Soledad, CA 93960

10. Sierra Conservation Center

Sierra Conservation Center offers medium to low security and is situated in Jamestown, California. Among the two facilities that select and train inmates for conservation camps, it is one of the most prestigious in the country.

It rehabilitates and trains the inmates to fight wildfires so that they can quickly assist in putting it out when a fire occurs. The same programs at the main facility are offered at all prisons, including adult primary education, GED classes, and vocational training.

PS: 10 Famous Prisons in the state of California:

We have covered 10 famous prisons in the state of California. No matter which prison you are looking for, there is something for everyone. This article attempts to present some of the most famous prisons in the state of California.

These prisons are recognized for the famous people that have been incarcerated there. We hope you have enjoyed this list of famous prisons in the state of California. There are some well-known prisons in CA, and we'd like to share what we know about them.

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