California State Prison, Centinela (CEN) is a male-only state prison located in Imperial County, California, approximately 20 miles from Imperial and El Centro. The facility, which is sometimes referred to as Centinela State Prison, is situated on 2,000 acres and has a capacity of 2,308 inmates. It is run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and was established in 1993.
As with all correctional facilities, the primary goal of California State Prison, Centinela is rehabilitation. The CDCR offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates prepare for life outside of prison. These include educational programs, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health care facilities. Inmates can also participate in work assignments within the prison, such as maintenance and food service, to gain valuable skills and work experience.
Despite the focus on rehabilitation, California State Prison, Centinela is still a correctional facility, and security is a top priority. The prison is equipped with state-of-the-art security systems, and correctional officers are trained to maintain order and ensure the safety of both staff and inmates. Visitors are subject to strict security protocols, including background checks and searches, to prevent contraband from entering the facility.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 2,308 |
| Physical Address | 2302 Brown Road, Imperial, CA 92251 |
| Mailing Address | Facility A, P.O. Box 901, Imperial, CA 92251-0901 Facility B, P.O. Box 911, Imperial, CA 92251-0911 Facility C, P.O. Box 921, Imperial, CA 92251-0921 Facility D & E, P.O. Box 931, Imperial, CA 92251-0931 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Friday: 11:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (760) 337-7900 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
California State Prison, Centinela is a male-only state prison located in Imperial County, California, approximately 20 miles from Imperial and El Centro. The facility is sometimes referenced as Centinela State Prison. The prison was established in 1957 and was originally known as Centinela Men’s Colony. It was built to house minimum-security inmates and was designed to hold 2,400 inmates. However, over the years, the facility has undergone several expansions to accommodate the growing number of inmates.
Establishment
Centinela State Prison was established in 1957 as a minimum-security facility. The prison was built to house inmates who were nearing the end of their sentences and were preparing to re-enter society. The facility was designed to provide vocational training and educational programs to help inmates develop the skills they needed to find employment once they were released.
Expansion
Over the years, Centinela State Prison has undergone several expansions to accommodate the growing number of inmates. In 1984, Facility A was added to the prison, which increased the capacity by 1,008 inmates. In 1988, Facility B was added, which increased the capacity by an additional 1,008 inmates. In 2005, Facility C was added, which increased the capacity by 1,584 inmates. Today, the prison has a total capacity of over 2,308 inmates.
The expansion of the prison was necessary due to the increase in the number of inmates in California’s prison system. In the 1980s and 1990s, California’s prison population grew rapidly due to the state’s tough-on-crime policies. The increase in the number of inmates put a strain on the state’s prison system, and many facilities, including Centinela State Prison, were overcrowded.
Calipatria State Prison, another state facility located in Imperial County, was also affected by prison overcrowding. In 1992, Calipatria State Prison was opened to help alleviate the overcrowding at Centinela State Prison. Today, both prisons are operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and play an important role in the state’s prison system.
Facilities
California State Prison, Centinela is a male-only state prison located in Imperial County, California. The facility is situated on 2,000 acres and features a razor-wire cinder block and chain link fence on the perimeter with armed prison guards.
Housing Units
CEN has a total of 11 inmate housing units, including two reception centers, each with a capacity of 60. The other nine housing units are divided into two categories: general population and sensitive needs.
The general population housing units are designed for inmates who are able to live in a general population setting. These units include Level I, PROC, and Long-Term Offender Program.
The sensitive needs housing units are designed for residents who require specialized housing due to their particular needs. These units include Administrative Segregation, Protective Custody, and Mental Health.
Rehabilitation Programs
CEN offers a variety of rehabilitation programs to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release. These programs include:
- Religious Programs for All Faiths
- Alternatives to Violence Programs
- Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous
- Creative Conflict Resolution Workshops
- Life Without a Crutch Workshops
- Cage Your Rage Workshops
- Kairos Christian Fellowship
- Choice Theory/Internal Empowerment Coaching
- TUMI Discipleship Program
Vocational and Academic Programs
CEN provides vocational and academic programs to help inmates develop job skills and earn educational degrees. These programs include:
- Vocational: Electrical, Office Services/Related Technologies (OSRT), Building Maintenance, Small Engine Repair, Auto Body, Auto Mechanics, Electronics, Roofing, and Welding
- Academic: Adult Basic Education (ABE I, ABE II, ABE III), GED, Voluntary Education Program (VEP), Independent Study and Literacy Lab
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are:
- Friday: 11:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list and must present a valid photo ID.
Inmate Services
Inmate services at California State Prison, Centinela include Electronic Funds Transfer, Inmate Mailing Address, Package Check, and Inmate Locator.
Electronic Funds Transfer
Inmates at California State Prison, Centinela can receive funds through Electronic Funds Transfer. This service allows family and friends to send money to an inmate’s trust account. To use this service, the sender must register for an account and provide the inmate’s name and CDCR number. Funds are typically available within 24 hours of being deposited.
Inmate Mailing Address
Inmates at California State Prison, Centinela have a specific mailing address for each facility. The mailing address for Facility A is P.O. Box 901, Imperial, CA 92251-0901. The mailing address for Facility B is P.O. Box 911, Imperial, CA 92251-0911. The mailing address for Facility C is P.O. Box 921, Imperial, CA 92251-921. The mailing address for Facility D & E is P.O. Box 931, Imperial, CA 92251-0931. All mail must include the inmate’s name, CDCR number, and facility name.
Package Check
All packages sent to inmates at California State Prison, Centinela are subject to inspection. Packages must be sent through an approved vendor and must not contain any prohibited items. Prohibited items include drugs, weapons, and explicit material. Inmates are not allowed to receive packages containing food or clothing.
Inmate Locator
Family and friends can use the Inmate Locator on the CDCR website to find information about inmates at California State Prison, Centinela. The Inmate Locator provides information about the inmate’s current location, release date, and parole eligibility date. To use this service, the user must provide the inmate’s name, CDCR number, or birthdate.
California State Prison, Centinela also provides a Visitation Guidebook for family and friends of inmates. The guidebook provides information about visitation rules and regulations, as well as information about the VPass System. The VPass System allows visitors to schedule their visitation online, which can save time and reduce wait times. Visitors must also complete a Visitor Questionnaire before visiting an inmate.