CHINO, CA (April 26, 2024) -- The City of Chino is encouraging the community to voice their concerns regarding the current transfer of 27 “death row” inmates from San Quentin Prison to the California Institution for Men (CIM). 

Earlier this month, CIM shared with the Community Advisory Council that they had recently begun receiving transfers of condemned inmates from San Quentin Prison’s Death Row. As part of its implementation of Proposition 66, a voter-approved measure stipulating that condemned inmates must participate in prison programs that would help them pay restitution to their victims. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has instituted a Condemned Inmate Transfer Program that moves inmates out of segregated death row cells and into lower-level facilities that have certain features such as an electrified fence.

“As Mayor and a longtime Chino resident, the safety of my community is of utmost importance,” said Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa. “It is shameful that the State of California can transfer these death row inmates into CIM without first engaging and educating the Chino community. I call on my fellow Chino Valley residents who share my concerns about this prisoner transfer to urge our leaders in Sacramento to stop the prison transfer and keep Chino a safe community.” 

The City of Chino is encouraging residents to send a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting that these death row inmates be placed in the appropriate facilities until the necessary maintenance, repairs, improvements, personnel, and procedures are in place at CIM. 

A petition, sample letter, and FAQ about the prisoner transfer program are available at cityofchino.org/CIM. 

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