California Men's Colony

California Men's Colony (CMC) is an American male-only state prison located northwest of the city of San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County, California, along the central California coast approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Facilities

CMC has two separate facilities on its Template:Convert: East and West. The minimum-security West facility includes Level I ("without a secure perimeter") housing and Level II ("with secure perimeter fences and armed coverage") open dormitories.<ref name=CDCR2007>California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. California's Correctional Facilities. Template:Webarchive 15 Oct 2007.</ref> The medium-security east facility has level III with individual cells, fenced perimeters and armed coverage, with housing divided into four quadrangles, as well as a licensed hospital and mental health delivery system.<ref name=CDCR2007/>

As of Fiscal Year 2006/2007, CMC had a total of 1,870 staff and an annual operating budget of $151 million.<ref name="CDCR2007" />

As of January 31, 2023, CMC had an inmate population of 3,254, or 85.3% of its design capacity.<ref>"California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Monthly Report of Population As of Midnight January 31, 2023" (PDF). California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Internal Oversight and Research. January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.</ref>

Programs

CMC has been called a "country club" and "garden spot" among California prisons because of its wide variety of vocational, educational and psychological-treatment programs.<ref>Hall, David. Career petty thief, 88, to serve term. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), June 20, 1987.</ref><ref>Allison, Ralph B. Is Treatment of Inmates with MPD Possible in Prison? A Debate. The Negative Side of the Question. Template:Webarchive May 6, 1994.</ref><ref name=Lifsher>Lifsher, Marc. Manson family member is transferred from men's colony to medium security. Orange County Register. April 30, 1993.</ref> Notable CMC programs include:

• Arts in Corrections, "designed to rehabilitate inmates through art." <ref name=Andrews>Andrews, Amy. California Men's Colony inmates take to the stage in unique rehab program.Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore KSBY-TV, November 20, 2007.</ref>
• A "Level I camp program for fire suppression, conservation and other community service work." The jobs include "trash pickup and removal" at Port San Luis Harbor District properties, including Avila Beach.<ref>Charlton. April. Cleanup starts at Avila Beach. Santa Maria Times, May 13, 2007.</ref>
• Central Coast Adult School, which "aims to reduce the recidivism rate and help inmates rejoin the work force."<ref>Chen, Joyce. Steps to a Better Life - California Men's Colony: Inmates Graduate From Adult School. The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA), August 25, 2007.</ref>
• Prison Industry Authority, which "manufactures and ships millions of dollars of prison-made products annually."<ref name=Yadegaran>Yadegaran, Jessica. Christmas Behind Bars - What's It Like to be a Prisoner This Time of Year? The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA), December 15, 2002.</ref>
• Prisoners Against Child Abuse, which "donates more than $100,000 a year to local children's organizations."<ref name=Yadegaran/>
• Narcotics Anonymous.<ref>Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Search Results. Template:Webarchive Accessed 09 Dec 2007.</ref><ref name=Prisoners>California's Prisoners Tell How They See the System. San Francisco Chronicle, August 20, 2000.</ref>
• Alcoholics Anonymous.<ref name=Prisoners/>

History

The West Facility opened in 1954 and the East Facility opened in 1961. Three female former CMC workers won a 1998 settlement for $4.3 million as a result of a sexual harassment lawsuit, which was "the largest such settlement ever for the Department of Corrections."<ref>Lucas, Greg. Harass Suit Settled With 3 Prison Workers. San Francisco Chronicle, April 3, 1998.</ref> A San Luis Obispo County grand jury produced a 2005 report observing that "while old and overcrowded, CMC was well maintained."<ref>Welton, Nathan, and Cynthia Neff. Safety, Food Costs at CMC Questioned. The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA), March 25, 2005.</ref><ref>San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury. 2004–2005 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Final Report.Template:Dead link</ref> The West facility is slated for closure.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Notable inmates

• Joseph Naso, Convicted serial killer sentenced to death for the murders of four women. Spent brief time here before being transferred to the California Healthcare Facility due to the abolishment of death row.
• Bobby Beausoleil, convicted murderer associated with the Manson Family (though convicted of a crime pre-dating the Tate/LaBianca murders), was incarcerated at CMC during the 1990s. His wife, Barbara, lived nearby for years.
• Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris, serial killers known as "the Tool Box Killers", met at CMC in 1978, before they committed their crime spree.<ref>Woodhull, Tim. Crime-fighter still on a mission - South Bay resident prosecutes society's worst offenders. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), December 15, 1991.</ref>
• Christian Brando, son of actor Marlon Brando, convicted in 1991 for the killing of his half-sister's boyfriend and released in 1996 after serving half of a 10-year sentence<ref>Stone, Keith. Christian Brando Freed From Prison. Daily News of Los Angeles, January 11, 1996.</ref>
• Bruce McGregor Davis, convicted Manson Family murderer serving two life sentences for his parts in two Manson Family murders.
• Richard Allen Davis was paroled from CMC in June 1993 "after serving half of a 16-year sentence" for kidnapping.<ref>Richard Allen Davis' Life of Crime. San Francisco Chronicle, August 6, 1996.</ref>
• Tracy Lamar Davis, better known by his rapper name Big Tray Deee, was convicted for attempted murder in 2005 for firing at rival gang members. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison but was released after nine years on April 3, 2014.
• John Timothy Earnest, perpetrator of the Poway synagogue shooting where he murdered one and injured three.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Jim Gordon, drummer for Derek and the Dominos, convicted in 1983 for the murder of his mother
• Thomas Henderson, NFL football linebacker, incarcerated in CMC between 1984 and October 1986 "for sexually assaulting two teenage girls and then trying to bribe them not to testify against him."<ref>"Hollywood" sentenced. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), June 12, 1984.</ref><ref>Moore, Terence. Maryland should stop delaying and fire Driesell now. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 24, 1986.</ref>
• Maulana Karenga, founder of Kwanzaa, was incarcerated in 1971 after being convicted of felony violence against a woman victim who testified he tortured her.
• Charles Keating Jr., key figure in the S&L crisis, convicted in 1992 to serve a 12¹⁄₂ year sentence for fraud, racketeering and conspiracy. Released in 1996, when his state and federal convictions were overturned.<ref>Reckard, E. Scott. Keating, on outside, shrugs off prison experience. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA), December 4, 1996.</ref>
• Suge Knight, rap music producer, was incarcerated at CMC beginning in February 1997 but was later transferred to Mule Creek State Prison.<ref>Philips, Chuck. From Gangsta Rap Mogul To Prison Inmate. The Record (New Jersey), January 28, 1998.</ref><ref>Enkoji, M.S. "Suge" Knight shows a sweet spot for kids. Sacramento Bee, December 22, 2000.</ref>
• Timothy Leary, psychologist known for his support of psychedelic therapy, was imprisoned at CMC after being sentenced in March 1970 for possession of marijuana, but escaped from the West facility in September 1970 with the assistance of the Weatherman organization.<ref name=Kistler>Kistler, Robert. Leary, Onetime "High Priest" of Drug Culture, Flees Prison. Los Angeles Times, September 14, 1970.</ref><ref name=Maxwell>Maxwell, Evan. Fugitive Leary Under Arrest in Afghanistan. Los Angeles Times, October 25, 1970.</ref> He had been placed in "the least security-rated institution in the state" because "he did not 'represent either violence potential or serious escape risk'."<ref name=Kistler/> After spending time with Eldridge Cleaver in Algeria and attempting to "gain political asylum" in Switzerland, Leary was arrested in Afghanistan in January 1973.<ref name=Maxwell/> After being convicted of "escape from a minimum security prison," he was sent to California Medical Facility.<ref>Leary Admits Mistake in Promotion of LSD. Los Angeles Times, December 15, 1973.</ref>
• Danny Masterson, actor best known for his work on the sitcom That '70s Show (1998–2006), is currently incarcerated at CMC as of February 2024 after being convicted of rape. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, which means he might be eligible for parole after serving 25½ years. His lawyers have said they will appeal the conviction.<ref name="sentenced">Template:Multiref2</ref>
• Richard Allen Minsky, convicted serial rapist.<ref name="CDCR-inmate-locator">Template:Cite news</ref>
• Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell was at CMC between 2000 and 2004. Much of the film documentary Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell was filmed while Hook was at CMC.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Herbert Mullin, serial killer, "spent nearly 20 years" at CMC "before being transferred to Mule Creek in 1993."<ref>Beck, David L. Killer Bids for Freedom - Accused of 13 Slayings in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties and Convicted of 11, Herbert Mullin is Up for Parole Thursday for the Ninth Time. As He Downplays Previous Claims that He Was Influenced to Kill, Opinions are Mixed on Whether He Should Be Freed. San Jose Mercury News, December 26, 2001.</ref>
• Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party, was at CMC between 1968 and 1970. He was confined to his cell because he refused to work.
• Craig Peyer, former police officer convicted for the murder of Cara Knott while on duty. His next parole hearing will be in 2027.<ref>Jones, J. Harry. No parole for ex-CHP officer convicted of killing student. Peyer's next hearing not scheduled until '08. San Diego Union-Tribune, January 8, 2004.</ref>
• Mark Rogowski, former professional skateboarder, pleaded guilty on March 20, 1991 to the murder (first-degree) and rape of Jessica Bergsten.
• Lawrence Singleton in 1987 "earned an early release [from CMC] through a work program and good behavior" after having served 8 years of a 14-year sentence for the rape and mutilation of Mary Vincent.<ref>Singleton is Freed in North. Daily News of Los Angeles, April 26, 1987.</ref>
• Edgar Smith, now at High Desert State Prison (California), had a parole hearing in March 2007.<ref>Pries, Allison. No parole for contentious Smith - Killer of Ramsey girl argues with board. The Record (Hackensack, NJ), March 15, 2007.</ref>
• Ike Turner served 18 months of a four-year sentence at CMC between March 1990 and September 1991 for cocaine possession offenses.<ref>Associated Press. Ike's Free. San Jose Mercury News, September 4, 1991.</ref><ref name=Dougherty-03-09-1990>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Charles "Tex" Watson, convicted Manson Family murderer, was at CMC between the early 1970s and 1993, where he "married and fathered three children during conjugal visits" and "began operating a nonprofit Christian ministry that distributed audio tapes and solicited donations."<ref name=Lifsher/> He was then transferred to the medium-security Mule Creek State Prison. A spokesman for the prison stated that the move was "part of the routine shuffling of inmates around the state"; however, others said that it was related to pressure from the family of Sharon Tate, recommendations of the state Board of Prison Terms, and the actions of a state senator.<ref name=Lifsher/>
• Jean-Pierre Wehry was arrested in the 2006 Riverside, California To Catch a Predator sting. He received the longest sentence in To Catch a Predator history (75 years to life) due to California's three-strikes law and remains incarcerated. In 2017, he released an autobiography titled In For Life: Confessions of a Three-Strikes Prisoner under the pen name Damien Lartigue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Rapper Tory Lanez was transferred to CMC in May 2025 after being stabbed at California Correctional Institution earlier that month. Lanez was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.<ref name="TMZ 2025">Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• California Men's Colony - California Department of Corrections
• Center for Land Use Interpretation. California Men's Colony. Entry in Land Use Database of "unusual and exemplary sites throughout the United States."