California Institution for Women, Women's state prison in Chino, US
The California Institution for Women is a state women's prison in Chino that spreads across a large property and includes several security levels. The facility contains Level I open dormitories, Level II secured dormitories, and Level III individual cells, each designed for different security requirements.
The prison opened in 1952 after female inmates had to be relocated from Tehachapi because the earthquake in Kern County damaged the facility there. Until 1987, the institution remained the only women's prison in California.
The prison runs a program called Voices from Within, where inmates read and record educational books for students who struggle with reading. These recordings are then distributed to schools across the region and help children learn.
Visiting hours take place on weekends, and visitors must complete an application form in advance and bring valid identification. The facility is located in a residential area of Chino, several miles from the city center.
Until 1987, this facility housed the death row for female inmates in California. It was also the only women's prison in the entire state for decades.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
