California Considers Closing Another Prison Amid Declining Incarceration Rates
By the time Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves office, California will have closed five state prisons, a significant shift in the state’s correctional system. Now, some state lawmakers are considering closing a sixth, citing substantial declines in the incarcerated population and potential cost savings.
Falling Prison Population and Potential Savings
A recent analysis indicates that California’s incarcerated population has dropped dramatically, leaving the state with excess prison capacity. Currently, the system holds approximately 90,000 individuals. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) reported last month that prisons have space for 98,000 people, leaving around 8,000 beds unused [1], [4]. Closing another prison could generate savings of approximately $150 million annually, according to the Newsom administration [1].
Budget Concerns and Prioritization of Social Programs
With potential budget constraints looming, lawmakers are weighing the financial benefits of prison closures against the need for funding in other areas. Senator Laura Richardson (D-Inglewood) expressed a preference for maintaining existing prison conditions, even if it means double-celling inmates, to free up funds for essential social services, including healthcare [1].
Historical Context and Court Orders
The push to reduce the prison population began in 2011, when severe overcrowding and court orders compelled the state to develop a plan to lower incarceration rates. Today, the California prison system operates under a court order limiting the number of prisoners to 137.5% of its capacity. As of 2025, California is incarcerating about 70,000 fewer people than in 2011 [3].
Prisons Closed Under Newsom Administration
During Governor Newsom’s tenure, the following prisons have been closed:
- Blythe, near the Arizona border
- Tracy, in San Joaquin County
- Susanville, in Lassen County
the state ended its contract with a private prison in Kern County, which is now used as an immigrant detention center [1]. The California Rehabilitation Center in Norco is slated to close by October [1].
Concerns About Impact of Closures
Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Macomber cautioned that closing prisons can create challenges, including increased overcrowding in remaining facilities and potential backlogs in rehabilitation programs. He too noted that each closed prison results in approximately 100 additional inmates being transferred to other prisons [1]. Macomber emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate resources for rehabilitation and programming to support successful reentry into society [1].
State Budget Allocation
The Newsom administration anticipates spending $18 billion on prisons next year, a figure that remains relatively flat since 2024. The corrections department currently accounts for 5.6% of the state budget, down from 10% a decade ago [1].
Looking Ahead
The debate over closing another California prison highlights the evolving priorities of the state’s criminal justice system. Lawmakers will need to balance the potential cost savings with the need to maintain public safety and provide adequate resources for rehabilitation and reentry programs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office has suggested rejecting major infrastructure improvements at prisons under consideration for closure, specifically mentioning the Correctional Training Facility in Monterey County due to its repair costs [1].