CDCR-Ben Lomond Conservation Camp #45

You can support your loved ones at Ben Lomond Camp #45 on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 831-426-1652.

Ben Lomond Camp #45 is a minimum-security facility under CDCR supervision, this camp plays a crucial role in supporting government agencies during emergency responses to wildfires, floods, and other natural or man-made disasters. Additionally, camp crews contribute to park maintenance, assist with flood mitigation through sandbagging, and participate in reforestation projects. Participation in the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program is entirely voluntary for incarcerated individuals. Those who choose to volunteer must meet specific eligibility criteria aimed at ensuring public safety. These include avenues for criminal record expungement, creating new pathways for employment, and aiding in their successful reintegration into society.

Ben Lomond Camp #45, a collaborative effort between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), serves as a cornerstone in enhancing the safety and quality of life for the residents of Santa Cruz County and beyond. Nestled in the mountains of Santa Cruz County, approximately 12 miles from the town of Santa Cruz, the camp offers an invaluable rehabilitative environment for incarcerated individuals to develop essential skills and discipline necessary for successful reintegration into society.

With a primary mission centered around community service and rehabilitation, Ben Lomond Camp #45 plays a crucial role in providing tens of thousands of hours of community service annually. The camp's crews engage in diverse activities, including fire suppression, stream clearing, trail, and levee improvements, as well as assistance in rescues, floods, and landslides. As an ongoing and consistently available resource, the camp stands ready to assist local authorities whenever called upon.

The journey to becoming a participant at Ben Lomond Camp begins with training where volunteers undergo assessments to determine their eligibility for camp placement. Once training is completed, eligible participants transition to Ben Lomond Camp, which accommodates a maximum of 113 individuals, all of whom are minimum custody male felon convicts. This population allows for the formation of five 17-man fire crews, with additional volunteers assigned to various support roles such as kitchen workers, porters, landscapers, launderers, clerks, mechanics, and maintenance workers. To qualify for participation, incarcerated volunteers must not have any convictions for sex-related offenses, arson, escape, or exhibit a high potential for violence.

At Ben Lomond Conservation Camp, participants reside in an open-dormitory setting, with a dining hall staffed by inmates and supervised by correctional staff. All facilities undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance with standards set by the State Department of Health Services.

In addition to firefighting duties, incarcerated firefighters at Ben Lomond Camp engage in vital conservation and community service projects as directed by CAL FIRE. These projects encompass a wide range of activities, including fuel reduction, burning debris, trail restoration, stream rehabilitation, and beach cleanup. The camp also hosts an in-house mechanic shop managed by CAL FIRE, which maintains equipment used at the camp, alongside a farm maintained by camp participants.

Furthermore, Ben Lomond Camp offers a variety of rehabilitative and educational services to its participants, including substance abuse programs, religious services, hobby-craft activities, and access to GED and college courses. Through their participation in these programs and their diligent efforts during emergencies, camp participants cultivate a strong work ethic and a sense of self-worth, laying a solid foundation for successful reintegration into their communities upon release.

Both CDCR and CAL FIRE provide ongoing training and feedback for crew members, ensuring continuous improvement and job performance evaluations. Additionally, community volunteers contribute by providing spiritual and religious services, further enriching the rehabilitative environment at Ben Lomond Conservation Camp #45.

Connect with your Inmate

The camp offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, and on holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.