California to Close 5th State Prison Amid Declining Inmate Population

Gov. Gavin Newsom is moving ahead with the closure of a fifth state prison, citing California’s steadily declining incarcerated population. The next facility on the chopping block is the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, Riverside County.

Norco officials have long pushed for the closure, believing the site—once an art deco hotel before becoming a prison—holds greater economic potential. The state now plans to shut the facility in 2026, with Newsom’s administration estimating savings of around $150 million.

Unlike other cities that resisted prison closures through lawsuits or lobbying to preserve local jobs, Norco has welcomed the decision. A statement shared on the city’s social media expressed optimism for the site’s future:

“The Norco City Council remains hopeful that one day, this historic gem will be restored to its former glory as a resort and will become a regional economic driver.”

Roughly 1,200 employees currently work at the prison. While not all face layoffs, some may transfer to other correctional facilities across the state.

The planned closure aligns with Newsom’s May budget proposal, which aims to address a $12 billion deficit. In a written statement, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation emphasized its responsibility to manage resources wisely:

“California’s 2025-26 budget called for a prison closure, one of many challenging actions required to address the state’s fiscal position.”

Previously, the California Correctional Officers Association remained quiet on prison closures, instead focusing on improving member wages and work conditions as the prison population dropped from a peak of 170,000 to 91,000.

However, the union took a different stance this week. President Neil Flood criticized the decision, highlighting potential risks:

“Shuttering (the prison in Norco) eliminates essential physical space that relieves overcrowding, supports rehabilitative programming, and maintains a workable ratio between staff and incarcerated individuals. This balance is critical to safety for all Californians: reducing capacity while raising population density leads to more violence overall, both within institutions and beyond their walls.”