California is the most populous state in the US, with over 39.5 million residents. It is also the third-largest state by area, covering approximately 163,696 miles. As a result, California has one of the most complex and challenging prison systems in the country. The number of inmates in California has been on the rise, increasing by 5.8% between 2010 and 2020 due to the state’s growing population.
As of 2022, there are 85,083 incarcerated citizens in 35 adult prisons in California. This is the highest number of incarcerated citizens in any US state and in any democracy. Unfortunately, California’s prison system is also one of the most overcrowded in the US, with little action taken to address the issue.
Despite acknowledging the need to increase prison size, state authorities have failed to take concrete action. The overcrowding problem in California’s prisons has resulted in issues such as poor living conditions for inmates, high levels of violence, and inadequate medical care. The state must prioritize addressing this issue to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, both those who are incarcerated and those who are not.
Prison authority in the state of California:
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is responsible for managing the state’s 35 adult prisons and its massive inmate population. Like other states, the CDCR is a dedicated civilian force that is trained and equipped to manage such a complex system.
Founded 137 years ago, the CDCR has employed over 66,800 officers and wardens and has a budget of $11.3 billion. This makes it the third-largest law enforcement force in the US, after the US Customs and Border Protection. The majority of the CDCR’s employees are peace officers with the power of sworn law enforcement officers, while a small percentage are parole agents and criminal investigators.
Despite its size and resources, the CDCR faces numerous challenges in managing California’s massive inmate population. Overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and high levels of violence are just some of the issues that have plagued the system. While the CDCR has implemented various programs to address these issues, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates under its care.
Level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5 Prison Distinction in the state of California:
The CDCR and other prison forces in the US use a five-level prison security distinction system to manage inmates. Here is how the CDCR divides its prisons according to this system:
- Level 1 prisons are minimum-level security prisons that typically house inmates who are awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
- Level 2 prisons are also minimum-level security prisons but house inmates who have been convicted of minor offenses and pose little threat to prison staff.
- Level 3 prisons are medium-level security prisons that house inmates convicted of minor to major offenses and who are required to be housed in cells.
- Level 4 prisons are high-level security prisons that house inmates who have committed serious offenses and require confinement in individual cells.
- Level 5 prisons are the highest level of security prisons, providing maximum security to convicted criminals.
- These distinctions are used to determine the level of security required for each inmate, and to ensure the safety of both inmates and prison staff. However, the CDCR and other prison forces in the US still face numerous challenges in managing their inmate populations, including overcrowding and insufficient resources.
List of Level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5 prisons in the state of California:
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation oversees 35 adult prisons in the state. Each facility is given an abbreviation for administrative purposes. Some of the notable prisons include:
- Avenal State Prison (ASP): ASP is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 security prison.
- California City Correctional Facility (CAC): CAC is located in California City and is a level 2 security prison with a capacity of over 2,300 inmates.
- California Correctional Center (CCC): CCC is located in Susanville and is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 security prison with a current overpopulation of 115% above its capacity of 3,883 inmates.
- California Correctional Institution (CCI): CCI is a level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5 security prison.
- California Health Care Facility (CHCF): CHCF, located in Stockton, specializes in long-term medical and mental health care and has a capacity of 2,951 inmates. It is a level 3 security prison.
- California Institution for Men (CIM): CIM is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 security prison.
Other prisons under the CDCR include California Institution for Women, Folsom State Prison, San Quentin State Prison, and Pelican Bay State Prison, among others. The CDCR faces ongoing challenges in managing the prison population, including issues related to overcrowding, safety, and health care.
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP):
The CVSP is a level 3 prison security class.
Correctional Training Facility (CTF):
The CTF is a level 1, level 2, and level 3 prison security class.
Folsom State Prison (FSP):
The FSP is a level 1, level 2, and level 3 prison security class.
Calipatria State Prison (CAL):
The CAL is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF):
The CCWF is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
California Institution for Women (CIW):
Located in Chino Riverside County, California, east of Los Angeles. The prison is female only and was opened in 1952. It has a capacity of 1,398 but is overpopulated and houses a population of 1,553 inmates.
It is a level 1, level 2, and level 3 prison security class.
California Medical Facility (CMF):
Located in Vacaville Solano County, California. It is a male-only state prison medical facility. It was opened in 1955 and has a population of 2,361.
The CMF is a level 1, level 2, and level 3 prison security class.
California Men’s Colony (CMC):
Located in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California. It is a male-only prison that was opened in 1954 and has a population of 3,838.
The CMC is a level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
California State Prison Centinela (CEN):
Located in Imperial County, California. It is an only male prison with a capacity of 2,308 but is overpopulated to a population of 3,284.
The CEN is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
California State Prison, Corcoran (COR):
It is a male-only prison located in Kings County, California. The prison was opened in 1988 and has a capacity of 3,116 which is overstretched to 3,719 making the prison overpopulated.
The COR is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
California State Prison Los Angeles County (LAC):
Located in the city of Lancaster, Los Angeles County, California. The prison was opened in 1993 and has a capacity of 2,300 inmates which is overstretched to 3,158 inmates making the prison overpopulated.
The LAC is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC):
The SAC is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
California State Prison, Solano (SOL):
The SOL is a level 3 prison security class.
California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran (SATF):
Located in Corcoran, the SATF is a male-only state prison for substance abuse disorder. The facility was opened in 1997 with a capacity of 3,424. However, the prison is stretched and overpopulated by housing 4,844 inmates.
The SATF is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison security class.
High Desert State Prison (HDSP):
The High Desert State Prison (HDSP), a male-only prison in Susanville, California, was established in 1955 with a capacity of 2,324 inmates. However, its current population has surpassed its limit and reached 3,286, resulting in overpopulation. The HDSP is classified as a level 5 prison in terms of security.
Other adult prisons under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation include the Ironwood State Prison (ISP), Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP), Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP), North Kern State Prison (NKSP), Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP), Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP), Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJDCF), Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP), San Quentin State Prison (SQ), Sierra Conservation Center (SCC), Valley State Prison (VSP), and Wasco State Prison (WSP). Each prison has its own security classification ranging from level 1 to level 5.
If you are interested in learning more about prisons, you can find articles on various topics such as the level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5 prisons in Ohio, the Byrd Unit Texas, a maximum-security facility, the list of maximum-security prisons in the New York State, the Segovia Unit, its visiting hours, inmate phones, and location, the 7 worst prisons in the state of Ohio, and the minimum, medium, and maximum security levels in the prisons of Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a level 1 prison in California?
Level 1 prisons in California are minimum-level security prisons that usually house inmates going through a trial or serving a short sentence.
What is a level 2 prison in California?
Level 2 prisons in California are minimum-level security prisons that house inmates convicted of minor offenses and are no threat to the prison guards.
What is a level 3 prison in California?
Level 3 prisons in California are medium-level security prisons housing inmates with minor to major offenses and are to be placed within a cell.
What is a level 4 prison in California?
Level 4 prisons in California are high-level security prisons housing criminals who have committed a serious offense and need to be confined in an independent cell.
What is a level 5 prison in California?
Level 5 prisons in California are the highest level security prisons giving maximum security to convicted criminals.
How many prisons does the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) manage?
The CDCR manages 35 adult prisons in the state of California.
What is the California City Correctional Facility (CAC)?
The California City Correctional Facility (CAC) is a level 2 prison in California that houses over 2,304 inmates and was opened in 2006.
What is Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)?
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) is a level 5 prison in California that is known for its high-security units that house some of the most dangerous inmates in the state.
What is the population of California Correctional Center (CCC)?
As of 2021, the California Correctional Center (CCC) has a population of over 4,468 prisoners which is a 115% overpopulation from its capacity of 3,883 inmates.
What is the San Quentin State Prison (SQ)?
The San Quentin State Prison (SQ) is a level 3, level 4, and level 5 prison in California that houses inmates with a range of offenses, including death row inmates. It is one of the most well-known prisons in the state.
Conclusion
the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates 35 adult prisons with varying levels of security classifications ranging from level 1 to level 5. These prisons house inmates convicted of minor to major offenses and have different security needs. The security classification determines the type of inmate housed, the level of security required, and the types of programs and services provided to the inmates. Understanding the different security classifications of California prisons is essential in comprehending the state’s criminal justice system and its approach to rehabilitation and punishment.
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