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)
| Opened | 1955 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Minimum, Medium |
| Capacity | 2,361 |
| Current Population | 1,887 |
| Managed By | California 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.
02. California State Prison, Corcoran (COR)
| Opened | 1988 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Minimum, Maximum |
| Capacity | 3,116 |
| Current Population | 3,447 |
| Managed By | California 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)
| Opened | 1988 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Minimum, Maximum |
| Capacity | 3,082 |
| Current Population | 3,239 |
| Managed By | California 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.
04. Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)
| Opened | 1989 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Supermax |
| Capacity | 2,380 |
| Current Population | 1,654 |
| Managed By | California 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)
| Opened | 2005 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Maximum |
| Capacity | 2,448 |
| Current Population | 2,907 |
| Managed By | California 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.
06. Folsom State Prison (FSP)
| Opened | 1880 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Minimum, Medium |
| Capacity | 2,066 |
| Current Population | 2,2664 |
| Managed By | California 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
| Opened | 1984 |
| Status | Operational |
| Security Level | Medium |
| Capacity | 2,610 |
| Current Population | 3,255 |
| Managed By | California 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.
