Top 7 Worst and Most Dangerous Prisons in California

The list of top 7 Worst and Most Dangerous Prisons in California.

Are you interested in discovering more about California’s top-rated dangerous prisons? You are in the correct spot.

The top seven worst prisons in the state, known for their severe conditions, brutality, and notorious prisoners, will be discussed in this article. 

We’ll explore life’s dark and frequently cruel realities in these prisons, from Pelican Bay to San Quentin.

This article will provide you with an informative glance into the world of California’s most popular and worst prisons.

Whether you’re keen on actual crime or are just eager about the criminal justice system, check the list to learn the facts. 

Top 7 Worst and Most Dangerous Prisons in California

These are the top 7 most dangerous and worst prisons in the state of California.

01. California Medical Facility (CMF) 

Opened1955
StatusOperational
Security LevelMinimum, Medium 
Capacity2,361
Current Population1,887
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

The criminals of CMF get enough medical care, yet it’s one of the worst prisons in California. It’s because of the dangerous environment of the detention center. For years it faced lawsuits for keeping inmates more than its capacity. 

Hence, some previously released prisoners took the help of law to fix the issue. Fortunately, it worked, and from 31st July 2022, California Medical Facility now keeps only 79.9% inmates of its actual capacity. 

There is no longer the problem of overcrowding; however, weak prisoners are still beaten by strong criminals like gangsters, and guards don’t do anything about it. 

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02. California State Prison, Corcoran (COR) 

Opened1988
StatusOperational
Security LevelMinimum, Maximum
Capacity3,116
Current Population3,447
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

The California State Prison is the worst for many reasons. The primary reason is overcrowding. It holds 110.3% of its total capacity.

Hence, it’s understandable that prisoners there have to share their rooms and do not get privacy. The guards are brutal enough to shoot the inmates without any good reason. 

Many news stories were covered on California State correctional officers shooting inmates. They are also put in solitary confinement, which is too small to stay and unhygienic. 

This led to inmates going on a hunger strike in July 2013. Since then, the problem has been partially fixed. Still, several inmates are put into solitary confinement without letting news reporters cover it. 

03. San Quentin State Prison (SQ) 

Opened1988
StatusOperational
Security LevelMinimum, Maximum
Capacity3,082
Current Population3,239
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

This prison is overcrowded. This is why inmates have to face various problems. It’s currently holding 5% more prisoners than its capacity.

Moreover, the guards behave rudely with the criminals and don’t let them access even the basic necessities. 

It made headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic as the disease was an outbreak. This happened due to overcrowding and unsanitary cells.

According to some inmates, when the coronavirus attacked many people, the medical care facility didn’t care enough for sick ones, so some had to die. 

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04. Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) 

Opened1989
StatusOperational
Security LevelSupermax
Capacity2,380
Current Population1,654
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

Although now Pelican Bay State Prison is Less dangerous, once it was a name of terror to inmates. Inmates housed in it right after its opening gave chilling information about how guards used to abuse them then. 

They made violence a culture there, and many prisoners were tortured by keeping them naked or tied up for a long time. So eventually, the prison system faced lawsuits. 

Fortunately, the overcrowding, over-torturing, third-degree burning, and more inhumane things stopped slowly. 

As of 2022, the number of prisoners has increased, and now the correctional facility holds only 69.4% of its capacity. 

05. Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)

Opened2005
StatusOperational
Security LevelMaximum
Capacity2,448
Current Population2,907
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

 For many reasons, the Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) is renowned as one of the worst prisons. The primary reason is its overcrowding environment since this led to many inmates’ suicide. 

Solitary confinement and other tortures worsened their physical and mental health. As a result, they chose death over living behind the cells. There are various reports on the issues of Kern Valley State Prison. 

Moreover, guards don’t control the overpowered inmates; the powerful ones often beat weak prisoners. For all these reasons, the correctional facility faced several lawsuits.

However, the issues didn’t decrease. It’s still an overpopulated place for criminals, with 18.7% more prisoners than it should be. 

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06. Folsom State Prison (FSP)

Opened1880
StatusOperational
Security LevelMinimum, Medium
Capacity2,066
Current Population2,2664
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

The Folsom State Prison is famous for inmates’ escape. This hints that the prison is a dangerous place to stay. The main reason is gang fights. Several gangs utilize their gang power on individuals. 

This led to injuries and killings. According to news reports. 10 prisoners were inhumanely stabbed. Even one offender was shot dead.

Moreover, it gives overdoses of drugs and doesn’t provide inmates with enough mental and health care services. 

This resulted in increasing the anger of inmates. It’s also an overcrowded correctional facility that is currently keeping 28.9%, extra inmates. 

07. California State Prison, Solano

Opened1984
StatusOperational
Security LevelMedium
Capacity2,610
Current Population3,255
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Here’s Why It’s Considered as Worst 

This overcrowded prison has been criticized for years. Still, no step was taken to reform the facilities. It’s holding 24.7% more inmates than it should. Of this overcrowding, many prisoners are put into small solitary confinement. 

Also, the medical sector is failing to provide medical services to many inmates. There are also reports of gang violence and guards using excessive force and keeping them in unsanitary cells. This also has faced lawsuits, but only a few issues were solved. 

Final Words

Some of the most notorious and deadly prisons in the United States are in California. These institutions are on this list because of their notorious inmates, difficult living circumstances, high levels of violence, and other factors. 

While most people may not pay much attention to these correctional facilities, it’s crucial to understand the facts of the criminal justice system and how it affects those who are imprisoned.

The experiences of those who have spent time in these facilities are a sharp reminder of the need for ongoing correctional system reform and development.

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