California Institution for Men (CIM) is a male-only state prison located in the city of Chino, San Bernardino County, California. Established in 1941, CIM is one of the four facilities in the California state prison system. The institution was originally geared towards low-risk inmates and received its first San Quentin transfer on July 10, 1941. Today, CIM houses a diverse inmate population, ranging from minimum to maximum security levels.
As a part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CIM is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for its inmates while also offering various programs aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration into society. These programs include educational opportunities, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. CIM also has a visiting program that allows inmates to maintain contact with their families and friends.
Despite its efforts, CIM has faced criticism for its overcrowding and understaffing issues, which have led to safety concerns for both inmates and prison staff. In recent years, CIM has implemented various reforms to address these issues, such as reducing the inmate population and increasing staff recruitment efforts. Despite these challenges, CIM remains committed to its mission of providing a safe and secure environment for its inmates while also preparing them for successful reentry into society.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1,604 |
| Physical Address | 14901 Central Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 |
| Mailing Address | Depends on the Unit |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (909) 597-1821 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
The California Institution for Men is a male-only state prison located in Chino, San Bernardino County, California. It was opened on June 21, 1941, and was the first major minimum security institution built and operated in the United States. The prison was initially designed to hold 1,604 inmates, but by the end of 1941, the population had already grown to 2,200.
During World War II, CIM was used as a training center for soldiers. In the 1950s and 1960s, the prison experienced a period of growth and expansion. Several new buildings were constructed, including a chapel, a gymnasium, and additional housing units.
In the 1970s, CIM faced a series of challenges, including overcrowding, budget cuts, and riots. In 1980, the state opened the California Institution for Women in nearby Corona, which helped to alleviate some of the overcrowding at CIM.
Throughout its history, CIM has been the site of several high-profile incidents, including the 2009 riot that left two inmates dead and more than 100 injured.
CIM is one of three state prisons located in San Bernardino County, along with the California Institution for Women and the High Desert State Prison. It is also one of the oldest and largest prisons in the state, along with San Quentin State Prison and Folsom State Prison.
Facilities
California Institution for Men is a male-only state prison located in Chino, San Bernardino County, California. It is colloquially referred to as “Chino Men’s” or just “Men’s” to avoid confusion with the city itself. CIM has four facilities: West, East, California Correctional Institution (CCI), and Chino Hills.
Physical Address
CIM’s physical address is 14901 Central Avenue, Chino, CA 91710. The facility is situated on 2,500 acres and has a capacity of approximately 1,604 inmates. The facility is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall and has a total of 24 housing units.
Reception Centers
CIM has two reception centers: West and East. West Reception Center is responsible for processing and evaluating inmates from southern California, while East Reception Center processes and evaluates inmates from northern California. Both centers provide a variety of services, including medical and dental evaluations, mental health screenings, and educational assessments.
CIM also has a fire camp program that allows eligible inmates to work on fire suppression crews. The fire camp program is designed to provide inmates with valuable job skills and experience while also helping to fight wildfires throughout California.
In addition to the fire camp program, CIM offers a variety of educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for re-entry into society. These programs include adult basic education, high school equivalency programs, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.
Overall, CIM’s facilities are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates while also offering a variety of programs and services to help them successfully re-enter society upon release.
Inmate Population
The California Institution for Men is a male-only state prison located in San Bernardino County. As of June 2021, the facility’s inmate population was 3,861, which is 128.2% of its design capacity. This means the prison currently houses more inmates than it was designed to accommodate. The prison was designed to hold 1,604 inmates.
CIM has been a focus of attention due to the case of Kevin Cooper, who has been on death row since 1985 for the murder of four people. Cooper’s case has been controversial, with some people arguing that he is innocent and others arguing that he is guilty. The case has been the subject of numerous appeals and legal battles. As of May 2023, Cooper remains on death row at CIM.
In addition to CIM, there are several other male-only state prisons in California, including the Reception Center (RC), which is responsible for processing new inmates into the prison system. The RC has several locations throughout the state, including in San Quentin, Wasco, and Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility at Rock Mountain.
The prison population in California has been declining in recent years, but the state prison system is still holding more people than it was designed for. Overcrowding in prisons can lead to a variety of problems, including increased violence and decreased access to healthcare and other services. The state has taken steps to reduce the inmate population, such as by increasing credit earning rates and enacting sentencing changes. However, many people argue that more needs to be done to address the underlying issues that lead to high rates of incarceration in the first place.
Overall, the inmate population at CIM and other male-only state prisons in California remains a complex and controversial issue. While the state has taken steps to reduce overcrowding and improve conditions for inmates, many people believe that more needs to be done to address the root causes of high rates of incarceration and to ensure that all inmates are treated humanely and with dignity.
Rehabilitation
The California Institution for Men offers various programs and services to help inmates with their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. These programs and services include visitation, adult basic education, and the ability to send money to inmates.
Visitation
Visitation is an important part of inmates’ rehabilitation process, as it allows them to maintain connections with their loved ones and build a support system. CIM offers both contact and non-contact visits, as well as family visits.
Contact visits are available for inmates who have completed the necessary requirements and are considered low-risk. These visits allow physical contact between the inmate and their visitor, such as hugging and holding hands.
Non-contact visits are available for all inmates and take place in a designated visitation area. Visitors and inmates communicate through a glass partition using a telephone system.
Family visits are available for inmates who have a positive behavior record and have completed the necessary requirements. These visits allow the inmate to spend an extended period of time with their family members in a private setting.
Visiting Rules
To ensure the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and officers, CIM has strict visiting rules that must be followed. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list and must provide valid identification. They must also dress appropriately and follow all rules and regulations while on the premises.
Visitation Hours
- Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Adult Basic Education
CIM offers various adult basic education programs to help inmates improve their literacy and job skills. These programs include adult basic education, English as a second language, and vocational training.
UncHained is a vocational program offered at CIM that provides inmates with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the construction industry. The program includes classroom instruction and hands-on experience.
Sending Mail to an Inmate
Include the Inmate’s Name and CDCR # and send it to one of the following addresses:
- Facility A (WEST), California Institution for Men. Inmate’s Housing, P.O. Box 368, Chino, CA 91708
- Facility B (Reception Center Central), California Institution for Men, Inmate’s Housing, P.O. Box 441, Chino, CA 91708
- Facility C (EAST), California Institution for Men, Inmate’s Housing, P.O. Box 500, Chino, CA 91708
- Facility D, California Institution for Men, Inmate’s Housing
- P.O. Box 600, Chino, CA 91708
Sending Money to an Inmate
Family and friends can send money to an inmate at CIM through JPay, a secure online service. Inmates can use the money to purchase items from the commissary or pay for phone calls.
Kenyon Scudder is the CEO of JPay, the company that provides the money transfer service for CIM. JPay offers a variety of services, including email, video visitation, and music downloads.
Overall, CIM’s rehabilitation programs and services aim to help inmates develop the skills and knowledge to reintegrate into society upon release successfully.
Pop Culture References
The California Institution for Men has been featured in several movies and TV shows, cementing its place in pop culture.
One of the most notable references is in the 1998 cult classic film, The Big Lebowski. The character Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman, mentions that he had spent time at CIM during the Vietnam War. This reference is a nod to the fact that CIM was used as a training facility for soldiers during the war.
Another film that prominently features CIM is American History X. The prison is a significant setting in the film, as the main character, Derek Vinyard, is sent there for manslaughter. The film depicts the harsh realities of daily life in prison, including gang violence and rape. The portrayal of CIM in the film has been criticized by some for being overly sensationalized and inaccurate.
CIM also makes an appearance in the popular TV show Sons of Anarchy. The show’s main character, Jax Teller, is briefly incarcerated at CIM. The show depicts the prison as a dangerous and violent place, with corrupt guards and rival gangs vying for power.
Overall, the pop culture references to CIM have helped to raise awareness about the prison and its role in the criminal justice system. While some of these depictions may be exaggerated or inaccurate, they have sparked important conversations about the need for prison reform and rehabilitation programs.
| Film/TV Program | Pop Culture Reference |
|---|---|
| The Big Lebowski | Walter Sobchak mentions spending time at CIM during the Vietnam War. |
| American History X | The prison is a significant setting in the film, as the main character, Derek Vinyard, is sent there for manslaughter. |
| Sons of Anarchy | The show’s main character, Jax Teller, is briefly incarcerated at CIM. |