The California Rehabilitation Center in Norco will close in fall 2026, housing nearly 3,000 inmates. This closure is part of a trend of prison shutdowns driven by declining inmate populations and significant cost savings. The closure is expected to save the state $150 million annually. Inmates will be transferred to other facilities, and employment for existing staff will be addressed, although layoffs remain uncertain. Advocates hope savings will fund community safety programs, emphasizing the correlation between crime reduction and supportive programs.
"If you look at how crime has dropped in the last decade, it's been an effort to balance criminal justice with programs that reduce crime and help prevent harm," Matthews said.
"The state is expected to save $150 million annually due to the closure."
The Norco prison is a Level 2 medium-security correctional facility holding 2,766 inmates who committed felonies.
A call to a corrections spokesperson was not immediately returned.
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