California State Prison in Sacramento is a multi-level institution which primarily houses maximum security inmates. The original reason the prison was built was to house the most dangerous and difficult inmates in the state. Now the facility not only houses maximum security offenders but also has level I minimum security inmates.
California State Prison in Los Angeles County serves as both a long term facility for convicted felons, and as a Reception Center for inmates who need to go through the intake process. Inmates in the reception center are usually housed for only a short term until they are classified and relocated.
California State Prison in Corcoran is actually a complex of several facilities. Each of the facilities specializes in its own type of offender, and offers different programs and privileges for inmates.
California Rehabilitation Center is a facility that houses level II Medium security inmates. It is located in Norco California and has a strong emphasis on rehabilitation in corrections, as opposed to punishment. Inmates are encouraged to help themselves by participating in many of the programs that this facility offers.
California Men's Colony is a state run correctional institution located in San Luis Obispo California. The facility houses over 6500 inmates from minimum to medium security custody levels. California Men's Colony is a complex made up of two facilities, East and West.
California Medical Facility provides essential health care needs of male inmates incarcerated in California. The facility has a hospital within it, psychiatric facilities that can treat a variety of disorders, housing and treatment for HIV positive inmates, and even a hospice unit for inmates who have been diagnosed as terminally ill.
California Institution for Women is a facility that houses all custody levels from minimum to maximum of female offenders. The facility can accommodate the special needs of some female offenders including pregnancy, problems associated with HIV, methadone and mental health units.
California Institution for men is located in Chino California and has the capacity to house over 6,200 inmates within the whole institution. Offenders at this location can range from minimum to maximum custody, and many inmates start at Central Reception which is part of the California Institution for men.
California Correctional Institution is located in Tehachapi California. It operates with minimum to maximum custody inmates and has a Segregated Housing Unit known as the SHU. The SHU can be used for inmates with disciplinary infractions, and for various security reasons.
California Correctional Center is located in Susanville California, and is home to over 6,200 inmates of varying custody levels. Some of the minimum custody inmates at this facility are part of the forest fire suppression crew, which is responsible for aiding in the response to fighting forest fires.