Our Demand

The Close California Prisons campaign, anchored by Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) is demanding Governor Newsom commit to closing at least 5 more state prisons, starting with the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, CA

CRC's long history of ongoing horrific conditions, broad consensus for its closure, and the opportunities for economic and community revitalization in Riverside County make this prison a prime candidate for closure. See below for ways you can take action today, frequently asked questions, and resources to learn more!

Take Action

Sign the Petition to #CloseCAPrisons, starting with CRC Norco

Help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures calling for more prison closures starting with the deplorable CRC

Send an email to state officials!

Take less than 2 minutes to email state legislators and Governor Newsom urging them to concretize historic reductions to CDCR's budget by closing more state prisons

Organizations in the Inland Empire! We want to build with you

Fill out this form to get connected and build with CURB's #CloseCAPrisons campaign

Frequently Asked Questions

Why CRC?

Horrific Conditions: Reports of violent prison staff, bug infestations, extreme heat, overcrowding, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate access to programming have plagued CRC Norco for years and has led to near closure of its facilities, almost closing multiple times in the past decade. These continuously inhumane conditions have led to the state wasting billions on trying to improve CRC without success as the prison still has these deeply embedded systemic issues that cannot be remedied by superficial remodeling. 

Myth of Success: Norco is often portrayed as a “resource rich” prison, but this label misrepresents the daily reality of those incarcerated within its walls who report serious obstacles to accessing programs. CRC “leads the state in degrees awarded in prisons” due to the perseverance of the incarcerated population despite their environment, not because of it. While increasing education opportunities at state prisons is positive, declaring CRC or any other prison “rehabilitative” based on educational programs alone misses the bigger picture. It’s time to close CRC—not remodel or “reimagine” it. All California prisons, including CRC, face systemic issues that cannot be solved by superficial reforms or new buildings. 

Broad Consensus: While there is no ‘wrong’ state prison to close, the call to shutter CRC has existing community support. Prison closure is part of the city’s official legislative platform and has been supported by local lawmakers. In 2021, the coalition Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) named CRC Norco as the top state prison to close based on a survey of more than 2000 incarcerated people. Now that the prison population has dropped dramatically and the prison system’s capacity falls well below the mandated 137.5% capacity cap, the state can afford to close CRC without exceeding this cap. 

Economic and Community Revitalization: A proposed $1.1 billion is earmarked for CRC's infrastructure repairs. Instead of wasting more money on crumbling prison buildings, these funds could be redirected towards significant economic development initiatives and social services in Norco and neighboring communities. Prison closure will attract new business and create economic opportunities across Riverside County. 

Why now?

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), California could safely close five more prisons and save more than $1 billion annually. In fact, without additional prison closures the state risks operating 15,000 empty prison beds by 2024-25 and 19,000 by 2028. 

While California’s 2024-25 state budget includes historic cuts to CDCR, it has yet to commit to closing more prisons. More closures are a key step towards ensuring cuts to CDCR are realized and that savings actually go to our communities, not back into the system. 

In a time when our social safety net needs funding and California is in a position to save billions by closing more prisons, maintaining these crumbling, hazardous, and deadly cages is irresponsible. Governor Newsom can close prisons as part of the annual budget cycle or outside of it, as he’s done in the past. It's time for him to do it again. 

CRC’s long history of inhumane conditions and current need of $1.1 billion in infrastructure repairs, reductions in the incarcerated population, broad consensus for its closure, and opportunity for economic reinvestment in its surrounding area make it a prime candidate for closure. We need to act now to ensure we are maximizing investments into, rather than away from, the Riverside community. 

What about my loved one?

When closing CRC, we demand the release of those who can return home safely.  The state is required to minimize disruption for any transfers which can be done by ensuring that prison closures are completed within a year to avoid extended disruptions. Unfortunately, we know this is not always the case. We strongly support autonomy during the transfer process for people who are incarcerated by allowing them to choose facilities that are the closest to their loved ones and that would allow them to continue rehabilitative programming. If you think your loved one is eligible for resentencing, we would be happy to send them resources to support in this process. Please click here for a list of resources to support your loved one in their release/resentencing, transfer, and/or reentry process. 

What about local jobs?

Closing CRC Norco isn’t the end of local employment opportunities. Rather, its closure could mark the beginning of a more sustainable and diverse workforce for the Norco community. But most importantly, the city will no longer rely on the caging of our loved ones for economic stability. By redirecting funds from the prison’s costly maintenance into community development, we can create new jobs in sectors like healthcare, renewable energy, community infrastructure, and education. In doing so, we prioritize a “Just Transition”, where workers are retrained and redeployed, reducing our reliance on incarceration for employment and ensuring job security. 

Resources

CRC's Troubled History & Current Issues

Since its creation in 1962, CRC has been anything but a 'rehabilitation center.' CRC's toxic history which extends to today underlines the urgent need to shut this prison down.

CRC's Troubled History & Current Issues

Prison Closure Roadmap

Learn more about each phase of the prison closure process in CURB's Prison Closure Roadmap. These phases include: selecting prisons for closure; prison population reduction and facility closure strategies; decarceral just transition: support for impacted communities; and prison repurposing.

Prison Closure Roadmap

Quotes from Advocates Inside

“It is my belief that this place has outlived its useful life, and due to the lack of structural integrity, this place should be closed. A lot of the buildings that we are housed in are in dire need of extensive repairs. None of the walls or the ceilings are insulated. The plumbing is (at best) very outdated. There is asbestos all over this place, and that in itself is a health hazard. The staff are advised not to drink the water here!”

James D, formerly incarcerated in CRC, recently released

"My experience at CRC is memorable and unlike any i've endured throughout my journey. From daily encounters with corrupt officials antagonizing incarcerated people and abusing their authority to an education system that lacks teachers and makes it hard to obtain a trade or just being allowed to purchase commissary. The water appears discolored throughout the day and the plumbing is poor..."

Keegan Quinney, formerly incarcerated in CRC, currently in Wasco State Prison

"Having been open for over 60 years, CRC is run down with no ventilation. When I was there, there was 1 fan for 80 heads. COs played a lot of favoritism and showed misconduct. CRC is very outdated and should be closed."

Carl Lloyd, formerly incarcerated in CRC, currently in Wasco State Prison

"CDCR's promotion and instigation of violence, antipathy and retaliation as methods of control has worsened my PTSD. I lost access to all programs upon arrival, facing discrimination and systematic punishment beyond my sentence." 

Matthew Witecki, currently incarcerated in CRC

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