California State Prison, Corcoran

As of Fiscal Year 2002/2003, COR had a total of 1,703 staff and an annual institutional budget of US$115 million. As of April 30, 2020, COR was incarcerating people at 119.4% of its design capacity, with 3,719 occupants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/research/wp-content/uploads/sites/174/2020/05/Tpop1d2004.pdf|title=California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Monthly Report of Population As of Midnight April 30, 2020|date=April 30, 2020|website=California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Internal Oversight and Research|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503014424/https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/research/wp-content/uploads/sites/174/2020/05/Tpop1d2004.pdf|archive-date=May 3, 2020}}

• Individual cells, fenced perimeters and armed coverage
• Level IV housing: Cells, fenced or walled perimeters, electronic security, more staff and armed officers both inside and outside the installation
• Security Housing Units, "the most secure area[s] within a Level IV prison designed to provide maximum coverage".
• The Protective Housing Unit & Death Row which holds up to 47 prisoners who require "extraordinary protection from other prisoners". The unit houses inmates whose safety would be endangered by general population housing. The Protective Housing Unit has been described as "strikingly calm" because inmates "don't want to be moved somewhere less guarded".Curtis, Kim. Even in prison Jackson would be 'star'. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), June 13, 2005. One violent incident occurred in March 1999 when three inmates attacked inmate Juan Corona, inflicting minor injuries, and smashed Charles Manson's guitar. Three other Protective Housing Unit inmates suffered minor injuries.{{cite news|title=Inmates attack mass murderer Juan Corona, smash Manson's guitar|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m-xDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4718,4101834 |access-date=9 September 2011|newspaper=The Daily Sentinel |location=Pomeroy and Middleport, Ohio |date=March 16, 1999}}
• Acute care hospital
• Prison Industry Authority

Built on what was once Tulare Lake, the facility opened in 1988.Broder, John M. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDB1131F93BA35752C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print Spun and Unspun Tales of a California Cotton King] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121154409/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDB1131F93BA35752C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print |date=2009-01-21 }}. The New York Times, January 8, 2004.Good, Bob. First Inmates Arrive at Corcoran Prison. Fresno Bee, February 23, 1988. The prison hospital was dedicated in October 1993.Diaz, Sam. Corcoran Prison Opens Hospital Doors. It's Like Most Facilities, Except for the Armed Guards, Security Cameras and Grill Gates. The Fresno Bee, October 28, 1993.

In March 1993, at Corcoran, prisoner Wayne Jerome Robertson raped Eddie Dillard, a prisoner about half his size, after the latter was reassigned to his cell. Robertson, who had the nickname "Booty Bandit", testified in 1999 that prison guards set up the attack.Arax, Mark. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-19-mn-23825-story.html Corcoran Inmate Tells Jury Guards Set Up Rape]." Los Angeles Times. October 19, 1999. Retrieved on February 2, 2016. Dillard testified in the same trial.Arax, Mark. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-20-mn-24240-story.html Tearful Victim Testifies on Prison Rape]." Los Angeles Times. October 20, 1999. Retrieved on February 24, 2016. After Robertson was assigned to general population at Pelican Bay State Prison, California state senator Tom Hayden stated "It is almost certain that he would be targeted for death."Podger, Pamela J. "[http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Corcoran-Rapist-Marked-for-Death-at-Pelican-Bay-2995795.php Corcoran Rapist Marked for Death at Pelican Bay, Tom Hayden Says / Inmate allegedly was told to attack by prison guards]." San Francisco Chronicle. Tuesday August 20, 1998. Retrieved on February 24, 2016.

In August 1996, the Los Angeles Times claimed that COR was "the most troubled of the 32 state prisons".Arax, Mark. Tales of Brutality Behind Bars; Five officers claim staging of "gladiator days," other abuses at Corcoran State Prison. FBI is investigating facility, which has most killings of inmates in U.S. Los Angeles Times, August 21, 1996. At the time, COR officers had shot and killed more inmates "than any prison in the country" in COR's eight years of existence. Seven inmates had been killed, and 50 others seriously wounded. Based on interviews and documents, Arax concluded that many shootings of prisoners were "not justified" and that in some cases "the wrong inmate was killed by mistake". Furthermore, the article alleged that "officers ... and their supervisors staged fights between inmates" during "gladiator days". In November 1996, CBS Evening News broadcast "video footage of an inmate fatally shot by guards" at COR in 1994; this death "spawned a probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of alleged inmate abuses by guards".Podger, Pamela J. Video of Fatal Prison Shooting at Corcoran Stirs Controversy. The Fresno Bee, November 20, 1996.

A March 1997 episode of the CBS News 60 Minutes discussed the 1994 death, "the alleged cover-up and the alarming number of shootings at the prison"."60 Minutes" Spotlights Corcoran. "Deadliest Prison" Segment Will Lead Off Sunday's Broadcast. Fresno Bee, March 29, 1997. The California Department of Corrections issued the results of its own investigation in November 1997, which found "isolated incidents of staff misconduct" but no "{{-'}}widespread staff conspiracy' to abuse prisoners".Holding, Reynolds. State Corrections Dept. Clears Itself in Probe of Corcoran Prison. The San Francisco Chronicle, November 27, 1997.

A film titled Maximum Security University, which used prison surveillance tapes showing four 1989–1993 fights "end[ing] when a guard fatally shoots a combatant", was released in February 1998.A Film Aims to Expose Prison Deaths. Private Investigator Hopes Corcoran Footage Stirs Debate, Reform. Fresno Bee, February 16, 1998. That month, eight California correctional officers and supervisors were indicted "on federal criminal civil rights charges in connection with inmate fights that occurred at Corcoran State Prison in 1994".United States Department of Justice. [http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1998/February/086.htm.html Eight Officers Indicted for Civil Rights Violations at Corcoran State Prison in California]. February 26, 1998. After a trial, the eight men were "acquitted of all charges" in June 2000.Bier, Jerry, et al. All 8 Corcoran Guards Acquitted. Applause Rocks the Courtroom After the Verdicts. Fresno Bee, June 10, 2000.

As of 1999 California had paid out several large prison brutality settlements for incidents at Corcoran, including $2.2 million to inmate Vincent Tulumis, paralyzed for life in a May 1993 shooting, and $825,000 for the killing of Preston Tate in April 1994.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-16-mn-37888-story.html|title=Archives|website=Los Angeles Times|date=16 May 1999 }}

Subsequently, COR has been featured in at least two episodes of MSNBC's Lockup series: "Inside Corcoran" (first aired as early as 2003)Primetime mailing list. [http://www.mail-archive.com/primetime@lists.msnbc.com/msg00180.html New Year's Day Programming on America's Newschannel MSNBC]. The Mail Archive, January 1, 2003. and "Return to Corcoran" (first aired in 2005).{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090121150100/http://prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172648 MSNBC - "Lockup: Return to Corcoran" on TV tonight (01/07/06)]}} (discussion thread).

In July 2013, many inmates at COR participated in a state-wide hunger strike protesting the use of solitary confinement.{{Cite news|url=http://blog.amnestyusa.org/us/happening-now-california-prison-hunger-strike-highlights-need-for-reform/|title=Why 30,000 California Prisoners Are On Hunger Strike [INFOGRAPHIC]|date=2013-07-10|work=Human Rights Now|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601003305/https://blog.amnestyusa.org/us/happening-now-california-prison-hunger-strike-highlights-need-for-reform/|url-status=dead}} Billy Michael Sell, an inmate in COR who had been participating in the hunger strike, committed suicide by hanging himself while in a Security Housing Unit (SHU).{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/searching-for-the-truth-about-californias-prison-hunger-strike-20130813|title=Searching for the Truth About California's Prison Hunger Strike|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2017-11-28}} He had been protesting from July 8 to July 21. Sell's death caused significant controversy, as inmate advocates reported that fellow prisoners had heard Sell asking for medical attention for several days before his eventual suicide.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/other/affront-human-rights-amnesty-international-weighs-california-prisons-hunger-strike-f6c10803342|title='Affront to human rights': Amnesty International weighs in on California prisons hunger strike - NBC News|work=NBC News|access-date=2017-11-30|language=en}} His suicide triggered reviews of the circumstances behind his death at the local, state, and federal level; with Amnesty International calling for an independent inquiry into his death, one without ties to the government.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/other/affront-human-rights-amnesty-international-weighs-california-prisons-hunger-strike-f6c10803342|title='Affront to human rights': Amnesty International weighs in on California prisons hunger strike - NBC News|work=NBC News|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://kalw.org/post/look-inside-security-housing-units-california-state-prisons#stream/0|title=A look inside the Security Housing Units in California state prisons|last=Mullane|first=Holly Kernan, Martina Castro, Nancy|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en}}

• Isauro Aguirre — convicted and sentenced to death for torturing and killing 8-year old Gabriel Fernandez.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/man-sentenced-death-torture-murder-boy-he-thought-was-gay-n881101 | title=Man sentenced to death in torture, murder of boy he thought was gay | website=NBC News | date=8 June 2018 }} He is currently on death row awaiting execution.{{cite web | url=https://www.dailynews.com/2021/04/08/throw-out-my-conviction-says-mom-of-gabriel-fernandez-who-pleaded-guilty-to-palmdale-8-year-olds-torture-murder/ | title=Throw out my conviction, says Gabriel Fernandez's mom, who pleaded guilty to Palmdale 8-year-old's torture-murder | website=Los Angeles Daily News | date=8 April 2021 }}
• Frederick Martin Davidson — perpetrator of the 1996 San Diego State University shooting.{{cite web | url=https://apps.cdcr.ca.gov/ciris/details?cdcrNumber=K58724 | title=California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) - CDCR }}
• Joseph James DeAngelo — serial killer/rapist; received multiple sentences of life without parole in 2020 for 13 murders committed between 1975 and 1986. In protective custody.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-06 |title=CDCR moves 'Golden State Killer' to protective housing at Corcoran State Prison |url=https://www.kget.com/news/state-news/cdcr-moves-golden-state-killer-to-protective-housing-at-corcoran-state-prison/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=KGET 17 |language=en-US}}
• Scott Dyleski — sentenced to 25 years to life for a murder committed at age 16.{{Cite web|url=https://mycrimelibrary.com/scott-dyleski-teen-killer/|title = Scott Dyleski Teen Killer Murders Woman | My Crime Library|date = 31 January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/08/30/notorious-convicted-murderer-becomes-eligible-for-parole/|title = Notorious East Bay murderer becomes eligible for parole|date = 30 August 2018}}
• Dana Ewell — a convicted triple murderer, he ordered the murders of his family in 1992. Serving three life sentences and has exhausted his appeals. In protective custody.Swinton, Nate. [http://www.thesantaclara.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=a150c3f4-07ce-4ba2-a02c-4e32d2469b33 Appealing to God]. The Santa Clara, May 23, 2002.
• Phillip Garrido — who kidnapped Jaycee Dugard in 1991. He is serving 431 years to life.
• Michael Jace — former actor serving 40 years to life for the 2014 murder of his wife.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/10/entertainment/jace-sentenced/index.html|title = 'Shield' actor Michael Jace gets 40 years for murder|website = CNN|date = 10 June 2016}}
• Binh Thai Luc — serving five life sentences for murdering his friend Vincent Lei and four of Lei's family members.{{cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/03/08/court-denies-new-trial-for-bay-area-plumber-who-murdered-five-people/|first=Nate|last=Gartrell|title=Court denies new trial for Bay Area plumber who murdered five people; Three attempted robbery counts reversed|work=The Mercury News|date=2021-03-08|access-date=2021-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309015725/https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/03/08/court-denies-new-trial-for-bay-area-plumber-who-murdered-five-people/|archive-date=2021-03-09|url-status=live}}
• Mikhail Markhasev — convicted murderer of Ennis Cosby, son of entertainer Bill Cosby.Siemaszko, Corky. [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2004/12/11/2004-12-11_scott_s_fate_still_in_limbo.html Scott's Fate Still in Limbo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122015446/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2004/12/11/2004-12-11_scott_s_fate_still_in_limbo.html |date=2009-01-22 }}. New York Daily News, December 11, 2004. In 1998, he received a sentence of life without parole, plus 10 years.Berry, Steve. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-12-me-12414-story.html Cosby’s Killer Gets Life in Prison]. Los Angeles Times, August 12, 1998

• Efren Saldivar, serving six life sentences for murdering patients at Adventist Health Glendale.{{Cite web|url=https://apps.cdcr.ca.gov/ciris/details?cdcrNumber=T53035|title=CDCR California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS)}}
• Brandon Pettit — convicted of murdering his parents and sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without parole.{{Cite web|url=https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/Details.aspx?ID=BN2521|title = CDCR Public Inmate Locator}}{{cite news|url=https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article248923509.html|title=Modesto man sentenced to life in prison for killing parents|work=Modesto Bee|date=2 February 2021}}
• David Turpin — sentenced to 25 years to life for holding captive and torturing 12 of his 13 children.{{Cite web|url=https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/Details.aspx?ID=BJ1523|title = CDCR Public Inmate Locator Disclaimer}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smithconcrete.co.uk/forum/415a00-jake-turpin-family|title=Jake Turpin family}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Horace Van Vaultz — serial killer.[https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/Details.aspx?ID=BU7697 Inmate Locator], inmate BU7697
• George Wayne Smith — Convicted of Masterminding the May 9th, 1980 Norco Shootout in which Smith & 4 Accomplices robbed a Bank in Norco and engaged in a 25-Mile (40 Km) Pursuit with Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, killing one Deputy and wounding 8 others. 2 of Smith’s Accomplices were Killed; Whereas Smith and 2 others were sentenced to Life Without Parole. {{Cite web |title=California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) - CDCR |url=https://ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov/details?cdcrNumber=C54525 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov}}

• Rodney Alcala — the "dating game killer." He was sentenced to death in 1980, 1986, and 2010. On July 24, 2021, Alcala died from natural causes at a hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/07/24/infamous-dating-game-killer-rodney-alcala-dies-of-natural-causes/|title=Infamous 'Dating Game Killer' Rodney Alcala Dies Of Natural Causes|date=2021-07-24|website=CBS San Francisco|language=en|access-date=2021-07-24}}
• Juan Corona — murdered twenty-five people in 1971. He was transferred to COR from the Correctional Training Facility in 1992. On March 4, 2019, Corona died from natural causes.Juan Corona denied parole for 2nd time. San Diego Union, June 24, 1987.Grossi, Mark. Corcoran Prison Home to Who's-Who of Killers. The List of Infamous Murderers at the State Facility has Grown This Week to Include Sirhan Sirhan and Juan Corona. The Fresno Bee, June 5, 1992.
• John Albert Gardner III — convicted of murdering Amber Dubois (2009) and Chelsea King (2010). Later moved to Mule Creek State Prison.
• Charles Manson — leader of the Manson family. Manson was transferred from San Quentin State Prison to COR in March 1989.Lopez, Pablo. Charles Manson Transferred to Corcoran Prison. Fresno Bee, March 16, 1989. On November 19, 2017, Manson died at a Bakersfield hospital, one week after he was taken there for an unspecified illness.{{cite web |url=https://news.cdcr.ca.gov/news-releases/2017/11/19/inmate-charles-manson-dies-of-natural-causes/ |title=Inmate Charles Manson Dies of Natural Causes |publisher=California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120064948/https://news.cdcr.ca.gov/news-releases/2017/11/19/inmate-charles-manson-dies-of-natural-causes/ |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |date=November 19, 2017 |access-date=November 11, 2021 }}
• Joe "Pegleg" Morgan — member of the Mexican Mafia. He was at Pelican Bay State Prison, then was hospitalized at COR from October 1993 until he died a month later.Katz, Jesse. Reputed Mexican Mafia Leader Dies in Prison at 64. Los Angeles Times, November 10, 1993.
• Danny Masterson — former actor best known for his role on That '70s Show convicted of rape.{{Cite web |title=California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) - CDCR |url=https://apps.cdcr.ca.gov/ciris/details?cdcrNumber=BW7253 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=apps.cdcr.ca.gov}}
• Yenok Ordoyan — Armenian surgeon who was convicted of welfare fraud. He earned the moniker the "King of Welfare", and was released in 2000.{{cite web| url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/COUNTY+ATTACKS+WELFARE+FRAUD;+GRAND+JURY+WANTS+TO+%60CLOSE+FLOODGATES'-a083626362 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210071750/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/COUNTY+ATTACKS+WELFARE+FRAUD;+GRAND+JURY+WANTS+TO+%60CLOSE+FLOODGATES'-a083626362 |archive-date=2015-12-10 |title=County Attacks Welfare Fraud; Grand Jury Wants to 'Close Floodgates |via=The Free Library}}
• Sirhan Sirhan — convicted assassin of United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Transferred to COR from the Correctional Training Facility in 1992,Wilstein, Steve. Sirhan denied parole for 10th time in RFK killing. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), May 24, 1989. he lived in COR's Protective Housing Unit until he was moved to a harsher lockdown at COR in 2003. He was denied parole in 2006 and 2011.Barbassa, Juliana. Robert Kennedy killer denied parole. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), March 16, 2006. He was moved to Pleasant Valley State Prison in 2009,Deutsch, Linda. [https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTOaSDRn7AHXgxw767rToYuncYUwD9BNO2NO1 Robert F. Kennedy's killer is moved to new site]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Associated Press, November 2, 2009. but was subsequently moved back to COR and in 2013 he was transferred to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.Monica Garske, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131127095229/http://usnews.nbcnews.com:80/_news/2013/11/22/21580708-rfk-killer-sirhan-sirhan-moved-to-another-prison-on-anniversary-of-jfk-assassination RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan moved to another prison — on anniversary of JFK assassination]}}, NBCNews.com (November 22, 2013). Retrieved on November 23, 2013.
• Joseph Son — South Korean mixed martial arts fighter, manager, and actor. He served 7 years to life for rape and torture until he killed a convicted sex offender, Michael Thomas Graham, receiving an additional sentence of 34 years to life. He was transferred to Salinas Valley State Prison in October 2014.
• John Floyd Thomas, Jr. — serial rapist and killer. Currently at California Health Care Facility.

{{Portal|California}}

• List of California state prisons

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Facilities_Locator/COR.html Corcoran State Prison official CDCR webpage]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071214040407/http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/CA3085/ Corcoran State Prison]}} at the Center for Land Use Interpretation
• [http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/ California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Official website]

{{State prisons in California}}

Category:Prisons in California

Category:Corcoran, California

Category:Buildings and structures in Kings County, California

Category:Government buildings completed in 1989

Category:1989 establishments in California

Category:Charles Manson

Category:Prisons completed in the 1980s