In the 1950s, California’s population was growing rapidly and the state needed more prisons.

When the California Men’s Colony was built there were only seven state prisons; today there are 31 adult institutions on the list. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website. (This list does not include state hospitals, private and federal prisons.)

Because much of the World War II training facilities at Camp San Luis had become redundant, some of the land was reallocated.

at that time the main hospital had 62 buildings with 1,000 beds According to the official website of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Some of the Camp San Luis construction dates back to 1928, but most is from the massive building that took place during World War II.

However, by 1948 the buildings were being auctioned. A 16 by 16 meter building sold for $38-48.

Some of these surplus buildings were still in use at Cal Poly in the early 1980s.

In late 1954, a busload of inmates from Folsom Prison was brought to the old hospital site to remodel the buildings known as the West Facility. This facility has been largely decommissioned due to the downsizing announced in December 2022.

In the early 1960s, a high-security Eastern Facility equipped with concrete walls opened.

Public perception of the incarceration mission has oscillated between rehabilitation and harsh punishment.

Each prisoner’s situation and potential for rehabilitation is unique, but in the 1950s the view of reform was dominant.

The first inmates were considered low risk; The prison was later expanded with a concrete-walled facility in the East, housing more notorious violent criminals such as Manson family murderer Charles “Tex” Watson.

The Telegram-Tribune of September 8, 1954 published a story by Katherine Hunter describing the arrival of the first residents of the Western Resort:

Men’s Colony Prisoners Are Here September 15th

On September 15, the newly opened doors of the California Men’s Colony at Camp San Luis Obispo will open to receive the first of nearly 500 inmates transferred there from the Terminal Island hospital facility in Long Beach.

A far cry from the traditional high-walled stone structures that were standard in the past, the state corrections department’s new medical facility is located on the former hospital site of Camp San Luis Obispo, last used by U.S. men. signal troops.

12 meter Fence

The California Men’s colony, the newest of California’s eight state prison institutions, could easily be mistaken for another partially abandoned army camp were it not for the 12-foot, business-like Hurricane fence behind which would house elderly, disabled and chronically ill inmates. They are punished there for the crimes they committed against society.

According to Superintendent John H. Klinger, prisoners in the colony would be allowed relative freedom of movement.

“No one who could be considered dangerous will be sent here,” Klinger emphasized. “Each man is thoroughly screened when he enters the state prison system, and an experienced staff member decides what type of training and treatment is needed.

“Men are reclassified from time to time,” he continued, “and often even a ‘lifer’ indicates that he is trustworthy and will not use any violence. Then he is not viewed as a flight risk or a dangerous man.”

Klinger said a work team of approximately 100 young, healthy inmates will be used to maintain, operate and maintain the new medical facility. The former deputy state corrections director explained that minimum security task force members were selected based primarily on their security risk and secondarily on their individual skills.

Qualified Labor Requirement

As an example, he noted that in addition to the normal number of utility workers and managers, the colony will need plumbers, electricians, cooks and many other skilled workers.

The 500 inmate patients will not have regular work assignments like work crews, but their skills will be used wherever possible. Klinger said one type of activity that older and partially disabled men can participate in is landscaping and cultivating land.

The deserted areas between the buildings, which the teams had previously cleared of weeds, will be distributed to patients as vegetable gardens and flower beds. Topsoil seed and fertilizer will be provided, and vegetables grown by the men will be used in kitchens in the colony. Flower beds and lawns are waiting to be developed for occupational therapy as well as for the beautification of the institution.

The areas around the visitor building are a priority. Located just inside and to the right of the main gate, the building’s current somewhat plain and intimidating exterior will be significantly brightened by “green-fingered” inmates. When completed, the area will create a pleasant garden area where prisoners can visit with their families in nice weather.

Craft Event

Klinger said he hopes to find an arts and crafts instructor to help the men rehabilitate, and patients will be involved in various crafts as well as gardening.

The San Luis Obispo county library, under the direction of Walter Sharafanowich, already works closely with colony officials, and the library currently has 1,100 books on its makeshift shelves. 180 books were sent by the district and this number is expected to reach 500 selections in the near future. Of this number, 50 books will be changed every five weeks.

The library’s ultimate goal is 3,600 books, and officials said they would welcome any periodical contributions from the public.

The library is located in the same building as a fairly adequate gym and theater combination. A softball field, two volleyball courts and a badminton court are ready right outside. A basketball court was built where tennis courts used to be and an area was reserved for horseshoe shooting. Ping-pong tables are set up in the recreation rooms near the wards.

Can Install TV

No motion pictures are planned to be shown in the auditorium as staff attempts to replace the television in each housing unit.

Klinger said one use of the auditorium would be to hold church services. Currently, the facility is authorized to employ part-time chaplains, both Catholic and Protestant.

The superintendent, who was busy this week welcoming the new management staff, took a lively interest in the possible future assistance of local civic groups and individuals in carrying out a diverse rehabilitation program for the men in his care.

One phase of occupational therapy at the camp is a program in which men who are physically able to do so can work for a small amount of “expense.” Klinger said this amount could be spent on minor expenses or saved, depending on the individual’s preference, explaining that the prisoner had few additional personal needs, as even the prisoner’s tobacco (his own version of rolling) was provided by the state.

A prisoner canteen has not yet been established here, and orders for extras such as candy, ready-made cigarettes or cigars needed by the current 70-person working team are purchased from San Luis Obispo and distributed to the men in the camp.

Some Are Blind

When at full capacity, the Men’s Colony will house a variety of patients, from the elderly to inmates requiring special care to “five or six” men who are completely blind and are being taught the Braille system.

There are also 17 wheelchair cases among the men to be transferred, including paraplegics. One of them is an elderly person who, despite having no arms or legs, was still a successful counterfeiter until he was eventually arrested.

He was performing his art by holding the pen between his chin and shoulder.

The administrative staff, headed by Klinger, formerly deputy corrections director in Sacramento, will consist of a group of experienced men transferred from other state agencies.

Robert Eklund, who took office from San Quentin on Tuesday, will hold the title of deputy superintendent of care and treatment.

William Ovesen will be responsible for the business management of the new government agency, and Captain Raymond L. Wham will be the head of the detention force.

Others on the current administrative staff include Irving Abkin, a senior sociologist who will handle the colony’s treatment program, and Robert W. Densmore, an institutional parole officer whose job will be to prepare the men in the camp before state parole. panel. Abkin transferred here from Terminal Island and Densmore from San Quentin.

Klinger said a physician and surgeon in charge of the medical program will be appointed soon.