CDCR – Avenal State Prison (ASP)

Avenal State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) state prison designed to house minimum to medium security inmate and hold an astounding 10,000 inmates. The facility itself is actually made up of six independent facilities, which are each given a letter name, and many buildings. he structures on ASP's 640 acres include "17 open dorm buildings, six 200-bed open dorm E-bed buildings, six converted gymnasiums, a 100-cell administrative segregation unit, and a 10-bed firehouse." It is a "low-medium security" or "Level II" prison with "open dormitories with secure perimeter fences and armed coverage." Inmate programs include Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, SAP, autobody, metal fabrication, plumbing and electrical, PIA furniture, warehouse and egg production.

Inmates incarcerated at ASP are offered many programs that include wood and carpentry, HVAC/refrigeration skills, auto body and mechanic skills, welding, electrical, plumbing, office related services, electronics, print and graphic arts programs. All of these programs are aimed at giving inmates practical skills that they can use to earn a living once they are released from prison. Like almost all correctional facilities Avenal offers inmates basic adult education, GED courses, substance abuse treatment and a program that helps former gang members.

The primary mission of Avenal State Prison is to provide for the control, care and treatment of those inmates committed to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation by the courts. Avenal State Prison is designated as a low-medium security institution to provide housing for general population inmates. ASP is a level II institution activated in 1987 which is now comprised of six separate, semi-autonomous facilities, with 17 dormitory housing units, 1 cell housing unit, and six open dorm E-bed buildings. The institution currently houses both GP and Sensitive Needs (SNY) inmates.

Inmate Programs

• PIA: Furniture Factory, Metal Fab, Egg Production, PIA Laundry & General Fabrication.
• Vocational: Auto body and fender, auto mechanics, electronics, office services and related technology, plumbing, refrigeration, small engine repair, welding, and electrical works.
• Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, English Language Development, Literacy Program, IIP (Incarcerated Individual Program, Computer Assistant Instruction and College Programs available.
• Other: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Criminal Gangmembers Anonymous (CGA, ), Braille Transcription, Youth Adult Awareness Program, Timeless and various religious groups, and Eye Glass Recycling, Veterans Group, Avenal Prison Mindfulness Medication, and Friends Outside.

Education

ASP currently provides services to 972 inmates in our academic classrooms, divided evenly between ABE I, II, and III/GED. Each class provides two three-hour sessions of instruction daily to 27 students each. Each of our six facilities has three academic classrooms; one each of ABE I, ABE II, and ABE III/GED, for a total of 18 classrooms.

DRP Programs

CDCR's Division of Rehabilitative Programs offers a wide range of programs for inmates. Check to see which programs are offered at this institution.

Re-Entry Facility

ASP is a Reentry Hub programming hub which is geared to ensure that, upon release, offenders are ready for the transition back into society. We help develop parole plans, provide prisoners assistance with developing social skills and obtaining services in their local communities, promote public support.

Inmate Leisure Time Activity Groups (ILTAGS) Currently, ASP offers 18 ILTAGS with active inmate participation. ILTAGS are 12-step recovery programs where inmates learn to acknowledge their addictions and the need to live a sober life. The programs are conducted in a classroom setting utilizing staff sponsors. Participants are provided materials donated by outside groups, as well as books purchased by the institution. These groups are facilitated on Facilities A thru F.

Education

ASP currently provides services to 972 inmates in our academic classrooms, divided evenly between ABE I, II, and III/GED. Each class provides two three-hour sessions of instruction daily to 27 students each. Each of our six facilities has three academic classrooms; one each of ABE I, ABE II, and ABE III/GED, for a total of 18 classrooms.

Enhanced Program Facility

ASP is a designated Enhanced Programming Facility (EPF). The purpose of the EPF is to create incentives for inmates, who based on their own behaviors and choices, are ready to take full advantage of programming opportunities. The EPF fosters an environment free from violence, illegal drugs and disruptive behavior, in which personal and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) goals can be more readily achieved. The EPF is defined as a voluntary setting in which inmates commit themselves to eminent respect, to excellence, and to cooperate in the achievement of program goals, in cooperation with the assigned staff who work to facilitate the achievement of these goals, within the framework of existing rules, regulations and procedures of the CDCR.