CHINO, CA (April 12, 2024) -- The California Institute for Men (CIM) shared with the Community Advisory Committee that they had recently begun receiving transfers of condemned inmates from San Quentin Prison’s Death Row. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) issued a fact sheet that explained, pursuant to the voter-approved Proposition 66 in 2016, that condemned inmates had to be allowed to participate in prison programs, including prison jobs that would help them pay restitution to their victims.

CDCR began phasing out the segregated death row cells and has instituted a Condemned Inmate Transfer Program to facilitate moving inmates to facilities that have an electrified fence, such as CIM. Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa stated, “I am alarmed that the Department of Corrections is transferring these dangerous inmates to one of the oldest prisons in the state. Considering the Department of Corrections’ lack of investment in the upkeep and maintenance of CIM, I am appalled that they would choose to house the worst of the worst prisoners in our state in such close proximity to residences, schools, and businesses. The Department of Corrections needs to immediately remove these horrifically violent offenders from CIM and house them in a prison that is capable of confining people who are sentenced to death. The most recent escape from CIM highlights the prison’s inability to secure even lower-level inmates. Let’s also not forget the suffering of the Ryen and Hughes families at the hands of CIM escapee, Kevin Cooper.”

In a 2008 report issued by the Inspector General, it was stated that CIM has fallen into an unacceptable state of repair due to years of neglect and would require $28 million annually to maintain the facility in its current "poor" condition. The report further warned that if funding is not dramatically increased, the condition of CIM will deteriorate to a level by 2014 that would necessitate its demolition and replacement. There is no indication that the state has allocated the necessary funding to improve the condition of CIM.

CDCR’s website shows 15 condemned inmates being housed at CIM, and another eight are expected to arrive this week. There is no known cap on the number of condemned inmates that can be housed at CIM. The Chino Police Department is scheduling a meeting with CIM officials to learn more about the transfer program and seek ways to mitigate the danger posed by the arrival of the condemned inmates.

The Chino City Council will continue to work with County and State leaders to request that CDCR remove these inmates from CIM and house them in facilities that are capable of housing such violent offenders.  

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