CDCR-California Institution for Men (CIM)

State Prison

Last Updated: March 09, 2024
Address
14901 Central Ave PO Box 128, Chino, CA 91710
Beds
4700
County
San Bernardino
Phone
909-597-1821

CIM is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - minimum facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of CDCR-California Institution for Men (CIM)

You can support your loved ones at CIM on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 909-597-1821.

Located at 14901 Central Ave PO Box 128 in Chino, CA, CIM carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. CIM offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on CDCR-California Institution for Men (CIM) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison 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. 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.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches 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. Prisons and jails enforce 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.

The CIM, also known as Chino Men's, is an adult male state prison situated in Chino covering an expansive 2,500-acre area east of Los Angeles. Established in 1941, CIM was the first major minimum-security institution in the United States and stands as the third-oldest state prison in California.

CIM is organized into four distinct facilities, each serving specific custody levels and inmate populations:

1. Facility A: Housing approximately 960 medium Level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates, this facility comprises eight dormitory housing units, accommodating around 137 inmates per unit.

2. Facility B: With an inmate population of approximately 977 medium/maximum custody Level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates, Facility B also includes Palm Hall, designated as an Administrative Segregation Unit.

3. Facility C: This facility houses approximately 760 Level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates, many of whom are serving life sentences. It consists of four housing units with a capacity of around 200 inmates each, located approximately 2 miles east of CIM's main complex.

4. Facility D: Serving as a Secure Level-I facility, Facility D accommodates approximately 2,000 general population inmates across 12 housing units. Level-I facilities primarily feature open dormitories and house low-security level inmates.

CIM offers a wide range of academic and leisure time activity groups for inmates, including educational programs such as high school/GED, English as a second language, and adult basic education, as well as various support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Veterans In Prison. Work programs available to inmates include laundry services, janitorial work, carpentry, and marine technology training.

Initially established on 1,700 acres of land in San Bernardino County, CIM was renowned as the "prison without walls," featuring only a five-strand barbwire livestock fence for security. Over the years, CIM has adapted its security measures to meet evolving challenges, now housing the largest Level I inmate population within the California prison system. The facility has expanded and undergone conversions to better address the needs of its inmate population, including the establishment of mainline facilities like Facility A and Facility C.

Details
  • Facility A has an inmate population of approximately 960 medium level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates. The facility consists of eight dormitory housing units and each housing unit has a capacity of approximately 137 inmates.
  • Facility B has an inmate population of approximately 977 medium/maximum custody level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates. In addition to the Non-Designated Programming Facility mission, Facility B includes Palm Hall as a designated Administrative Segregation Unit. This Administrative Segregation unit receive inmates from CIM, California Rehabilitation Center, local CDCR/Cal Fire camps, inmates serving Security Housing Unit terms, in route to court or other CDCR Institutions.
  • Facility C has an inmate population of approximately 760 level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates, many of whom are serving life sentences. The facility consists of four housing units with a capacity of approximately 200 inmates. Facility C is located approximately 2 miles east of CIM’s main complex.
  • Facility D has an inmate population of approximately 2,000 general population inmates and is designated as a Secure Level-I. The facility consists of 12 housing units with each housing unit having a capacity of approximately 200 inmates. The California Code of Regulations defines a Level I as consisting primarily of open dormitories with a population of low security level inmates. Inmates with 0 to 18 points (least likely to misbehave) are housed in Level I facilities. Inmates with minimum custody can be housed and work outside the secure perimeter where inmates with medium custody are housed and work inside the secure perimeter but can live in a dormitory environment.
  • Academic and Inmate Leisure Time Activity Group (ILTAG) opportunities include high school/GED, pre-release, English as a second language, literacy and adult basic education, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Criminal Gang Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Veterans In Prison, Prison Fellowship Pre-release program, Center for the Empowerment of Families Fatherhood Group, Victim Offender Education Group, Toastmasters, Global Youth Connection, Alternative to Violence, California State University San Bernardino Visual Arts, and National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).
  • Work programs include the PIA laundry, Juice Processing and packaging plant, Marine Technology Training Center deep-sea diver training program, janitorial services, carpentry and building maintenance.
History
CIM opened in San Bernardino County in 1941 on 1,700 acres of land. The California Institution for Men (CIM) is a large complex consisting of four separate facilities under the administration of one warden.

Dedicated on June 21, 1941, the California Institution for Men was the first major minimum security institution built and operated in the United States. It was the State of California’s third correctional institution and was constructed to relieve the overcrowded conditions of San Quentin State Prison (1852) and Folsom State Prison (1881).

CIM was unique in the field of penology because it was known as the “prison without walls.” The only “security” fence around the facility units was a five-strand barbwire livestock fence, intended mainly to keep the dairy cows from wandering through the living areas.

CIM has since increased security to meet the challenges a vastly different inmate population requires. While no longer known as “the prison without walls” CIM’s Secure Level I Facility A houses the largest Level I inmate population within the California prison system. The CIM I Facility can house approximately 2,000 minimum custody level inmates at the facility.

In additional to the CIM I Facility, CIM’s operation includes one reception center, Facility B Reception Center (1951). In August 2010, CIM converted the former Reception Center West facility to a mainline facility known as Facility A, which houses custody level II non-designated programming inmate population. In December 2012 CIM converted Reception Center East facility to a mainline facility known as Facility C. This facility houses custody level-II non-designated programming inmate population.

Details
  • Facility A has an inmate population of approximately 960 medium level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates. The facility consists of eight dormitory housing units and each housing unit has a capacity of approximately 137 inmates.
  • Facility B has an inmate population of approximately 977 medium/maximum custody level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates. In addition to the Non-Designated Programming Facility mission, Facility B includes Palm Hall as a designated Administrative Segregation Unit. This Administrative Segregation unit receive inmates from CIM, California Rehabilitation Center, local CDCR/Cal Fire camps, inmates serving Security Housing Unit terms, in route to court or other CDCR Institutions.
  • Facility C has an inmate population of approximately 760 level-II Non-Designated Programming Facility inmates, many of whom are serving life sentences. The facility consists of four housing units with a capacity of approximately 200 inmates. Facility C is located approximately 2 miles east of CIM’s main complex.
  • Facility D has an inmate population of approximately 2,000 general population inmates and is designated as a Secure Level-I. The facility consists of 12 housing units with each housing unit having a capacity of approximately 200 inmates. The California Code of Regulations defines a Level I as consisting primarily of open dormitories with a population of low security level inmates. Inmates with 0 to 18 points (least likely to misbehave) are housed in Level I facilities. Inmates with minimum custody can be housed and work outside the secure perimeter where inmates with medium custody are housed and work inside the secure perimeter but can live in a dormitory environment.
  • Academic and Inmate Leisure Time Activity Group (ILTAG) opportunities include high school/GED, pre-release, English as a second language, literacy and adult basic education, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Criminal Gang Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Veterans In Prison, Prison Fellowship Pre-release program, Center for the Empowerment of Families Fatherhood Group, Victim Offender Education Group, Toastmasters, Global Youth Connection, Alternative to Violence, California State University San Bernardino Visual Arts, and National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).
  • Work programs include the PIA laundry, Juice Processing and packaging plant, Marine Technology Training Center deep-sea diver training program, janitorial services, carpentry and building maintenance.
History
CIM opened in San Bernardino County in 1941 on 1,700 acres of land. The California Institution for Men (CIM) is a large complex consisting of four separate facilities under the administration of one warden.

Dedicated on June 21, 1941, the California Institution for Men was the first major minimum security institution built and operated in the United States. It was the State of California’s third correctional institution and was constructed to relieve the overcrowded conditions of San Quentin State Prison (1852) and Folsom State Prison (1881).

CIM was unique in the field of penology because it was known as the “prison without walls.” The only “security” fence around the facility units was a five-strand barbwire livestock fence, intended mainly to keep the dairy cows from wandering through the living areas.

CIM has since increased security to meet the challenges a vastly different inmate population requires. While no longer known as “the prison without walls” CIM’s Secure Level I Facility A houses the largest Level I inmate population within the California prison system. The CIM I Facility can house approximately 2,000 minimum custody level inmates at the facility.

In additional to the CIM I Facility, CIM’s operation includes one reception center, Facility B Reception Center (1951). In August 2010, CIM converted the former Reception Center West facility to a mainline facility known as Facility A, which houses custody level II non-designated programming inmate population. In December 2012 CIM converted Reception Center East facility to a mainline facility known as Facility C. This facility houses custody level-II non-designated programming inmate population.

Inmate Locator

CIM maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

Visiting an incarcerated person: learn how to visit an incarcerated person at our institutions.

Other Resources: explore family & friends resources, including how to contact or send packages to those incarcerated in our institutions.

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.