CHINO, CA – The transfer of more than two dozen death row inmates from San Quentin State Prison to the California Institution for Men in Chino has sparked controversy. The move is part of the Condemned Inmate Transfer Program, which aims to close segregated death row units at various facilities throughout California, including San Quentin and the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa expressed alarm at the decision to transfer these inmates to a facility located near schools, homes, and businesses in the area.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reported that 15 death row inmates are currently housed in the Chino prison, with an additional eight expected to arrive soon. The program does not alter the inmates’ sentences but rather allows for the repurposing of existing facilities for educational and restorative justice purposes. It also expands the number of institutions eligible to house permanent transfers from death row from eight to 24.

Despite the state not having executed anyone since 2006, the death penalty remains a contentious issue in California. Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration directed the dismantling of the state’s newly built execution chamber at San Quentin. The CDCR plans to evaluate the impact of the program over the next two years, focusing on participant outcomes, job availability, inmate behavior, and prison safety.

Local officials in Chino, including the police department, are scheduled to meet to address safety concerns arising from the presence of death row inmates in the community. The move has raised questions about the implications of housing these “worst of the worst prisoners” in close proximity to residential areas. The CDCR emphasizes the need to enhance educational and rehabilitation opportunities within the prison system, aligning with efforts to promote restorative justice practices.

As discussions continue around the transfer of death row inmates to Chino, stakeholders are considering the broader implications of the program on public safety and rehabilitation efforts. The decision to repurpose facilities and expand the options for housing condemned inmates reflects a shift towards a more holistic approach to criminal justice within California’s correctional system.