California Correctional Center, prison in California
The California Correctional Center is a minimum-security prison facility in Susanville in northeastern California, built in 1963. The facility includes separate areas for different types of inmates, functional design with open grounds and yards, and work programs focused on forest fire response and conservation.
The facility was built in 1963 and served as an important part of California's prison system for decades. Over the years, new laws and court decisions reduced the state's prison population, eventually leading to its closure in 2023.
The California Correctional Center was integral to Susanville's identity and economic life for decades. Work programs where inmates helped with forest fires and cared for wild horses connected the facility to the region's land management and conservation needs.
The facility sits at about 4,100 feet (1,250 m) elevation in northeastern California, roughly two days' drive from Los Angeles, surrounded by mountains and forests. Visits need to be arranged in advance, and visitors should follow access rules and security procedures due to the remote location.
The facility was known for an innovative program where inmates trained and cared for wild mustangs captured in the region. This work helped horses adjust to human contact and improved their chances for later adoption.
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